Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for posttraumatic headaches was denied as there is no evidence showing entitlement to such prior to February 9, 2016. Service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity on secondary basis to his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted. However, service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity was not granted due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, alcohol poisoning, traumatic brain injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 24, 2017, for the awards of service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity frostbite, Raynaud’s syndrome, and PTSD. The appeal is based on a direct service connection theory.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a TBI and earlier effective dates for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and cervical strain with degenerative disc disease are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim is granted.,Service connection for a TBI, brain disease (claimed as white matter disease), and chronic fatigue are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD and memory loss (claimed as dysthymic disorder) is denied.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including dysthymic disorder and depression, and residuals of a TBI are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is currently rated as part of his 100 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with depressed features and residuals of TBI.,His tonic-clonic seizures with grand mal seizures have been rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8910.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is granted a 70 percent rating, effective prior to October 23, 2014. The left shoulder dislocation residuals are denied any increase in rating. The left knee DJD with limitation of motion and instability is also denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for calcaneal spur, left foot and ankle; disabilities of the feet to include plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus; diabetes mellitus, Type II; TBI; and psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The issues are related to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, and vertigo. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements, in-service injury, and positive nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for TBI prior to June 27, 2013 and a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder with residuals of TBI from that date onwards. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI and related conditions, including headaches, was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled DRO hearing. The remaining issues are still under review.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period from May 1, 2011. The symptoms include mild memory loss and occasional dizziness that mildly interfere with work and activities of daily living.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and chronic headaches have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 31, 2011. The Board has granted an extraschedular Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the period from October 31, 2011 to April 10, 2014.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are granted as they resulted from the August 2009 IED blast in Afghanistan during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and cognitive disorder NOS due to TBI and post-concussive syndrome, with MDD and anxiety disorder are granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective February 13, 2020. The lumbar strain and scoliosis with degenerative arthritis and IVDS remain rated at 40 percent as of January 18, 2020.