Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following issues: compensable rating for post-traumatic headaches associated with TBI prior to October 20, 2014; a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic headache associated with TBI from October 20, 2014, through June 25, 2018, and in excess of 50 percent from June 26, 2018; total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 28, 2018; a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss; and a rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's appeal is also remanded because the issues of higher ratings for post-traumatic headaches are dependent on the outcome of these other claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to missing records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The cases are now pending and will be rescheduled for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI and its residuals, and a headache disability should be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided that the appellant does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for perforation of the left eardrum, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches. The reasons include a lack of current diagnoses or history of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of TBI and granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD with alcohol and opioid use disorders. The issue of TDIU was also dismissed as moot due to the 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury residuals, and right eye disability. The examiner should also consider their combined effect on his employability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) should be remanded due to inadequate opinions and missing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite of the bilateral feet, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates for various disabilities, including conjunctivitis, respiratory condition, hypertension, B-12 deficiency, TBI, left upper extremity paralysis, tinnitus, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions and denied an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include TBI with memory loss, sleep disorder, dental condition, and tumors of the tongue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including due to hemicrania continua or the residuals of a TBI is remanded. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The examiner must provide a clear opinion on this etiological theory.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to the need for a clinical opinion to differentiate symptoms attributed to service-connected PTSD from those attributable to nonservice-connected TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for updated examination of the Veteran's TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and requires another attempt at notifying him of the scheduled appointment.

The Veteran's TBI was granted increased ratings to 40 percent from February 1, 2017 to November 15, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating above 40 percent since November 16, 2018 remains pending.