Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for TBI and to reopen claims of PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and lumbar spine DJD has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury to include headaches and remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for MDD, TBI residuals, and chronic posttraumatic headaches were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating than the assigned levels.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, low back pain, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's TBI, acquired psychiatric disability, and headache disability are all found to have begun during service. However, the diabetes mellitus is not related to service.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings for left forehead scar and TBI residuals was proper based on improvements observed over time.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for tinea versicolor has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the lack of available service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied, and his cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted with effective dates of September 20, 2017. The headaches and left ankle sprain claims remain pending.

The Veteran's TBI was granted a 100% evaluation in September 2016, but no NOD was filed. The appellant argues that this is equivalent to granting TDIU, which requires a schedular rating less than total and unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board finds the argument invalid.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a head injury (TBI), hypertension, and bruxism. The VA will schedule examinations to clarify these conditions and assess their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury, chronic headache disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of these conditions during or after the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's frostbite residuals of the left foot, right foot, and right lower leg burn are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.,The appeals of service connection for post-traumatic changes of the mid-left femur, right hip arthritis, and left knee disability are dismissed due to inadequate substantive appeals.,The appeals of service connection for right knee disability and TBI are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on earlier effective dates for SMC and increased ratings for service-connected residuals of frostbite of the bilateral hands and feet. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is also under review.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his right eye disorder to include injury residuals and traumatic retrobulbar optic neuritis was denied.,The Veteran's initial rating for TBI residuals prior to February 15, 2013 was granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to September 20, 2017 was rated at 50 percent disabling. From September 20, 2017, the combined rating for PTSD and TBI is also 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are each rated at 10 percent, effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, effective February 23, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective February 23, 2016. The Veteran's scar, right ankle, TBI, and migraine headaches are not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.