Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection and an effective date of July 15, 2013 is assigned.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, cervical strain, and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) were all granted with effective dates of July 15, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the adjudication of several claims, including those related to back pain, asbestos exposure, chest pain/sinus ventricular tachycardia, acquired psychiatric disability (schizophrenia), sleep apnea, fractured right great toe, traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic headaches with migraine features, and macular lesion, left eye with scotoma. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service connected. The cervical spine, eye, traumatic brain injury, and headaches issues remain pending.

The Veteran's essential hand tremors are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from April 3, 2018 to March 5, 2019. The Veteran’s TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, also effective from April 3, 2018 to March 5, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI prior to July 25, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 25, 2017 and a staged initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI from July 25, 2017 are pending and need further review.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for TBI was withdrawn by the Veteran in June 2019.,The Veteran's tension headaches and anxiety disorder were both denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for further development and examination, including those related to respiratory, prostate, kidney, psychiatric, TBI, foot, skin, headache, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities. The Veteran is also asked to provide more information regarding his claimed stressors for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric disorder claim and a rating decision for TBI residuals. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for testicular cancer (claimed as Seminoma) and traumatic brain injury, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for fatty liver with elevated liver enzymes, traumatic brain injury (TBI), left ankle disability, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and fractured right ankle, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The effective date for the 50% rating for PTSD has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, left-hand fracture, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, and TBI, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and frostbite of the right and left hands, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support the Veteran's lay assertions regarding the likely etiology of these conditions. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of frostbite.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a dental disorder, headaches, and TBI are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema is granted. Claims for right shoulder, elbow, hip disorders, and TBI are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service. CTS claim is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and neurological disorder and memory loss due to TBI. The Veteran did not meet the threshold requirement of having a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition caused by exposure to burn pits during active service in the Southwest Asia theater. The Veteran's tension headaches and TBI conditions are still on appeal, and new VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's TBI, right upper and lower extremity disabilities, and PTSD individually rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the TBI rating effective October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's service connection claims for frostbite of the bilateral feet and hands are granted. The right foot condition claim is remanded.