Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected.,Reasoning: The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service falls and concussions which led to current disabilities. After resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board determined these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy to the lower extremities have been rated at 30 percent since November 8, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7122.

The Veteran's TBI residuals were previously rated at 40 percent, effective June 29, 2012. The VA reduced this rating to 10 percent in August 2014 without following proper procedures. The Board has now reinstated the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for neck pain, lower back pain, and the effective dates of service connection for frostbite residuals. Additional development is needed to obtain missing VA treatment records from the Veteran's Army National Guard service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of TBI. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is granted, while claims for PTSD, atrial fibrillation, lower back disorder, and TBI are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, requesting SSA disability records, and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected syncope and TBI conditions as well as any psychiatric disorders. The issues of initial compensable ratings for syncope and TBI are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for TBI with headaches and memory loss, and a back disability were denied. The Board found that the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the right wrist disability effective June 24, 2011. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches, TBI residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and disability ratings in excess of 30 percent, 70 percent, or more for various conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI and lumbar strain were denied, but the claim for service connection for lumbar strain was reopened. The appeal is denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of TBI.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tension headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury have been granted service connection.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial disability rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Board has previously remanded the matter to schedule a new TBI VA examination. However, the Veteran was unavailable due to surgery and advised that the examination would be rescheduled. The Board now orders the RO to reschedule the VA TBI examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, sleep disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, circulatory disability, gastroesophageal disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral foot disability, skin disability, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and TBI residuals, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disability (to include sleep apnea), and headache disability (to include as due to a TBI). The Veteran's VA treatment records from Tuscaloosa, Alabama in January 2011 are requested. Additionally, the Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, cervical spondylosis, left ankle condition, sinus problems, traumatic brain injury, and abdominal muscle condition. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.,The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injuries were inconsistent and unreliable, casting doubt on their credibility.