Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his PTSD and TBI symptomatology, including whether symptoms can be distinguished between the two disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims due to failure to comply with a prior remand order for obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran is entitled to further review of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and traumatic brain injury were reopened, and the claim for traumatic brain injury was granted. The claim for left shoulder disability is still pending as it requires additional evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and residuals of a TBI. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and bilateral knee disability due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and major depressive disorder have been dismissed as the May 2019 VA Form 10182 was not a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed prior to the issuance of rating decisions in August and October 2019.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis with arthoplasty for rotator cuff repair with arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis have been dismissed as the May 2019 VA Form 10182 was not a valid NOD filed prior to the issuance of rating decisions in August and October 2019.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disorder is denied. The Veteran's claim for headaches, as a residual of a traumatic brain injury, is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including throat cancer, dental disability for compensation purposes, and residuals of frostbite of both hands and feet. The appeal is limited to these specific issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for macular scarring. The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI residuals but has remanded the issue of service connection for a renal disorder due to unclear nature and unresolved treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected depression of the skull and TBI have not been rated higher than their current noncompensable levels, as there is no evidence of brain hernia or significant cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for migraines was denied, and the issue of an increased disability rating for PTSD and TBI residuals is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TBI, a head scar, and a bilateral eye disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened for the bilateral eye disability claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches associated with residuals of TBI was granted, and an effective date of June 29, 2002 is assigned.,For the period prior to May 29, 2014, a rating of 70 percent for mood disorder due to TBI is granted.,TDIU benefits are granted from July 1, 2009 to May 28, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for mechanical back pain prior to May 28, 2014 remains pending and requires further evidence.,A compensable rating (10 percent) is granted for residuals of TBI including subjective impairment of the left side.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of TBI and infertility, finding that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions attributable to her in-service traumatic brain injury. The claim for infertility was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a rib condition, TBI residuals (including headaches and tinnitus), and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have been denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, headaches, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI and a respiratory disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's symptoms have persisted since his in-service head injury, and he has reported breathing problems related to exposure to smoke from welding.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed as he withdrew the issue from appeal.,Service connection for left and right knee conditions, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, is granted based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury is granted due to a documented in-service skull fracture.

The Veteran's TBI with mild memory loss, blurry vision and headaches is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.