Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's TBI condition, including its onset in service and relation to his neurocognitive disorder.

The Veteran's TBI is granted, and a higher rating of 10 percent for her seizure disorder is granted. Her chronic vaginitis remains noncompensable.

An initial 10 percent rating is granted for left elbow strain, effective July 31, 2017.,Service connection is granted for right shoulder and right elbow strains.

The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings of 10%, 70%, and 50% respectively.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and headaches as a residual of TBI.

The Board found no current diagnosis of ulcers and denied the claim for service connection.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed TBI, and the Veteran's STRs do not support such an event. The Board denied the claim for service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines has been denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with residuals of TBI has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI residuals, and pes planus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury as there is no evidence of a TBI or its residuals during his honorable period of active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating. The appeal is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been substantially complied with and has ordered a new VA medical opinion to address whether the unspecified neurocognitive disorder began during service, manifested within one year after discharge from service, or was noted during service with continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The claims of service connection for frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet and a dental condition have been reopened due to new and material evidence, but are still denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on current evidence showing sensorineural hearing loss.,Other issues such as back condition, TBI, vision loss, cerebellum condition, left leg condition, speech condition, and service connection for a dental condition remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet, PTSD, and hypertension. The claims for TBI, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral eye disability, and back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD with Alzheimer's disease, other specified depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury prior to November 27, 2019 has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TBI with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2013.,Migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeals for neck, TBI, and upper extremity radiculopathy issues as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection was granted for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder disorder, and lower extremity radiculopathies secondary to service-connected arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including pre-service mental health treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and bone pain cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings, TDIU, headaches, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are all remanded for further development.