Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a headache disorder are not granted. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service aboard USS Camden and to schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of TBI and PTSD was denied. From April 22, 2014 to July 24, 2016 (excluding December 22, 2014 through February 28, 2015), the Veteran received a 70% disability rating for PTSD. Effective July 25, 2016, his PTSD was rated at 100%. The TBI claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability, TBI residuals (claimed as memory loss), and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not meet the clear and unmistakable evidence standard, and there was no aggravation of these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to his left shoulder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to a lack of medical nexus opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's TBI rating was reduced from 70% to 10%, but the Board has restored the 70% rating as it did not show material improvement in his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The issue will be reconsidered with consideration given to all service-connected disabilities, but not any other disabilities. Deliberation of whether referral for extraschedular TDIU is required prior to December 21, 2017 should also be considered.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for headaches associated with service-connected TBI residuals since June 16, 2015 is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for migraines, but denied evaluations in excess of the current 10 percent rating for chondromalacia patellae/patellofemoral syndrome and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's carpal tunnel status post carpal tunnel release with cubital tunnel syndrome was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence that the TBI occurred during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, sleep disability, chest disability, diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to herbicide exposure), TBI, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have all been denied. The dental condition claim has also been referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's TBI and headaches are being remanded for further evaluation due to the overlap in symptoms with his PTSD. The reduction of a 10 percent rating for headaches is also under review.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury was denied. The rating for lumbar spine disability before September 16, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, as well as the rating for left knee disability between June 4, 2015 and September 16, 2016 were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with TBI was denied as there was no indication that he intended to reopen his previous claim for residuals of a head injury, which had been previously denied in September 2006. The effective date is set at November 6, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere’s Syndrome and tinnitus disability, but denied these claims on their merits.,Service connection was not granted for a neck injury or TBI as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present TBI, headache disability, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's service records do not contain evidence of a head injury or TBI during his active service. However, he contends that he was struck in the head by a flying speaker during a hurricane in 1961 and had difficulty breathing after being exposed to asbestos while serving aboard a ship.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for tinnitus, head injury (TBI), and headache disorder. The Board finds the Veteran has credible evidence of in-service events that support these claims. However, his claims for right total knee replacement, left ankle fracture, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.