Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for cervical strain and headaches, mixed type associated with traumatic brain injury have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as there was no evidence of an in-service injury that could have caused the TBI, and the Veteran's STRs did not show any incidents or treatment related to a head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic residual disability of a head injury, to include TBI is denied. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), sleep disorder, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and residuals of traumatic brain injury are service-connected. However, due to conflicting opinions regarding Pick's disease, a remand is required for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for Traumatic Brain Injury and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to credible evidence showing an in-service injury and current disability, with a nexus between the two.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and TBI, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD with TBI was granted, effective May 6, 2016.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with TBI was dismissed.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased rating for chronic left hip strain, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include a seizure disorder, as secondary to the service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete VA examinations and missing Social Security Administration records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and found that new evidence supports this reopening. However, it denied the claim as there is no current evidence showing the Veteran suffers from residual effects of a head injury sustained in service.

The Board has denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issue of service connection for hydrocephalus as secondary to TBI. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for right forearm and increased rating for right wrist due to lack of timely notice of disagreement. The issue of service connection for residuals of TBI is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating as of September 7, 2010, which is granted as an effective date.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a left knee disorder, residuals of frostbite of the toes, and depression. The reasons are that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his experiences in basic training.

The Veteran's death was used as a basis for substituting the appellant in his pending claims. The Board also found that additional VA treatment records from October 2005 to August 2011 are needed, and TDIU notice is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition, headache condition, chronic nose bleeds, TBI, sternal chest pain, and memory loss to include as due to an undiagnosed illness or secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including eye pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability resulting from silica inhalation, hypercholesterolemia, tinea versicolor, and a condition claimed as Gulf War illness. The Veteran also had his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae dismissed.

The Veteran's TBI and low back disorder are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service records. The claims will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, is granted. His claims are remanded due to the need for further examination.