Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, hypertension, TIA, high cholesterol, TBI, headache disorder, sleep disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and TDIU, as the appellant withdrew his appeal. The left ankle disability and TBI residuals are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for right ear hearing loss. The Board has remanded the remaining issues: left chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma, bipolar disorder, vertigo, TBI, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran should be afforded another VA examination to assess the severity of his TBI. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the TBI claim.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for TBI and PTSD. Service connection for hypertension is denied, and an acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on three issues have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, residuals of TBI, and tinnitus have been denied. Effective January 28, 2012, the Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions.,Initial ratings for right shoulder strain and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for traumatic brain injury was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2016. The reduction was granted as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury residuals due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of authorization for Social Security Administration records, and a request for authorization from Dr. P.M., Dr. R.L., and Erlanger Hospital.

The Board has denied service connection for a vision disability and an initial rating for tension headaches, but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection awards, but the Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,The Veteran also seeks a higher rating for his TBI. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder disorder, hypertension, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus II, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for TBI is denied, and his initial compensable rating for headaches is also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support additional staged ratings for any time period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a combined evaluation higher than 60 percent, finding that his tinnitus condition was properly incorporated in the existing 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and posttraumatic stress disorder have been denied. The current ratings are considered the maximum allowable under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's TBI disability rating was restored to 40 percent effective December 1, 2017. A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted from August 13, 2015.