Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of TBI and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with left lower extremity weakness is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant private or VA treatment records, including updated VA records. A new medical opinion will be required from an appropriate examiner to determine if the TBI had its onset during service or is related to such service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI and headache disability due to inadequate medical opinion and incomplete record retrieval.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including TBI, mental disorders, fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The issues of rating his TBI residuals, separate ratings for photophobia, speech impediment, and service connection for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome are inextricably intertwined with the main issue.

The Veteran's TBI-related disabilities, including seizures and mental health issues, are rated at separate levels. The rating for Traumatic Brain Injury is denied as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for seizures associated with TBI, and a 50 percent rating is granted for mental health disability associated with TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for residuals of a head wound, including TBI and headaches. The Veteran's headaches are attributed to his service-connected chronic sinusitis. As such, the issue of service connection for these conditions is remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI and its relationship to his active-duty service. The current opinion is insufficient due to lack of contemporaneous records, reliance on prior decisions, and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder disability were not rated higher than the current levels, with the case being remanded for further evaluation of plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been granted.,Service connection is also granted for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gunshot wound to the left side of his head was a result of his own willful misconduct, and thus not incurred in line of duty. As such, service connection for TBI, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and incomplete evidence. The left knee, TBI, and narcolepsy cases require additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's posttraumatic tension headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling prior to April 14, 2015.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from April 30, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, TBI, an allergy to petroleum products, and tuberculosis. The cases are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for personality changes due to TBI prior to March 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, and TBI, as well as his claim for service connection for a back condition due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI with post-concussive headaches has been separately rated and remains non-compensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, sleep disability (including sleep apnea), hypertension, migraines, and TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and TBI are found to have originated during active service due to military sexual trauma. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's left hip disability was denied as not related to service. The initial rating for TBI with lazy eye and head injury remains at 10 percent, despite the March 2018 VA examination indicating level '1' impairment in multiple facets.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted effective January 24, 2018, but no earlier date can be established as there was no intent to file a claim prior to that date.