Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his request for service connection of TBI residuals, leading to the dismissal of this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic arthritis, frostbite disability (right great toe), and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.,Additionally, the Veteran's current hip, shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities are not considered related to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was denied in a previous decision, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for a skin disability of the neck (tinea versicolor) is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition that is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the claim for traumatic brain injury due to in-service assault and head trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, right shoulder rotator cuff strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have necessitated the need for regular aid and assistance of another individual, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, there is no evidence to support the claim for loss of use of a hand or foot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was reopened and granted. The initial rating for hemorrhoids remains denied, but the Veteran is now receiving an initial 10% rating effective from December 5, 2018.,Prior to December 6, 2011, the Veteran had a 20% rating for his hemorrhoids. From February 1, 2012 to December 4, 2018, he was denied any compensable ratings. After that period, he received an initial 10% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his period of active duty or their relationship to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) should be remanded due to outstanding records and a need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury with any residuals, including headaches. The disabilities are found to be due to military noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 10, 2021 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.,For the period from February 10, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD with TBI was also denied a higher rating as his symptoms were found to be consistent with those of a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's head injury in the shower during service was not due to his own willful misconduct, and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if there are any chronic residuals from the documented head injury.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating before December 16, 2014. The issue of service connection for TBI and the claim for TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating increase for PTSD with sleep problems and TBI to include cognitive disorder, as well as his TDIU claim due to lack of medical records from his incarceration period. The claims are now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for a TBI, effective November 2, 2020. The maximum schedular rating had not been assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health disorder, to include schizophrenia, is reopened. The claims for service connection for TBI and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and for obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's residuals of frostbite, including left-hand arthritis.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for residuals of pneumonia, bilateral flat feet (pes planus), low back disorder, right and left knee disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), or headaches. The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.