Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's traumatic brain injury is related to his active military service, and thus entitles him to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI residuals have been rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on her symptoms of depression, anxiety, nightmares, and social withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for a 50 percent disability evaluation for PTSD with TBI was withdrawn by the appellant before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's assessment of his service-connected traumatic brain injury. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed before further action can be taken.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Traumatic Brain Injury is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, erectile dysfunction (ED), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been granted. The Veteran also has a residual symptom of headaches, non-specific, but it is not considered service-connected.,Service connection was established for all claimed conditions based on direct evidence linking each condition to in-service events.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on both issues, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right shoulder, right knee and left knee disabilities were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals prior to a decision being made.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and TBI, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left varicocele are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury should be remanded due to outstanding records and further development is needed.

The Board has ordered remand for a new VA examination to address the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to dress, undress, and attend to personal hygiene needs. Additionally, a TBI examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has residuals from his reported traumatic brain injury (TBI), including a seizure disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for TBI and a greater than 30 percent rating for PTSD are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current manifestations and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's current TBI residuals are not considered to be related to his head injuries in service, and the Board has determined that service connection for these residuals is denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for seizures secondary to a service-connected TBI and the increased rating for a TBI. The Veteran needs new examinations due to his testimony of increased symptoms and treatment records since February 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches with migraine features associated with traumatic brain injury are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Prior to August 14, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at less than 10 percent. After that date, it is rated at 50 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD since August 14, 2017 has been found to have symptoms approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder.,Service connection for prostate cancer and right hand disorders are denied.,Service connection for hypertension, residuals of frostbite, and headache disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic organic brain syndrome (including TBI) was restored to a 70% rating from January 1, 2018, to October 24, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted starting from August 6, 2014.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are inadequate for determining service connection for TBI. Therefore, a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's TBI is related to his military service.