Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and unspecified neurocognitive disorder as a residual of TBI with a history of secondary alcohol use disorder results in total occupational and social impairment. The appeal is denied for an increased disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for awards of service connection and SMC based on his claims for TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder, Meniere's disease, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The earliest possible effective date assigned was October 14, 2009, for the grants of service connection for TBI and an acquired psychiatric disorder, and September 22, 2009, for the grants of service connection for Meniere's disease, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). As a result, this issue is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, insomnia secondary to PTSD, TBI, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine require additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and traumatic brain injury were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, atrial fibrillation, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals and tension headaches are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased severity over the past few years.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The case is being remanded to determine the cause and severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted, and the claims for TBI and headaches are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for TBI, memory loss condition, and vertigo due to the lack of a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's increased rating for left shoulder limitation of motion and initial compensable rating for TBI residuals are both denied by the Board. The evidence does not support higher ratings based on the current criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for TBI, vertigo, and related disabilities are inextricably intertwined with his claims for back disability and radiculopathies or neuropathies of the lower and upper extremities. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his TBI, pilonidal cyst, left hip stab wound residuals, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran incurred a TBI in service, as the previous VA examiner's report was insufficient. The Veteran underwent in-patient TBI treatment at the Eisenhower Center and there are potentially relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with TBI and AUD prior to June 16, 2021 is denied. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the service connection claim for epiretinal membrane.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of both lower extremities are being reviewed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reopening of claims for a left shoulder disability and TBI residuals, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, finding that there is no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for Lewy body dementia and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The claims for PTSD and TBI have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for TBI did not meet the required qualifications and thus remands the case for further examination.