Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection claims, including PTSD, chronic pain disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of traumatic brain injury (also claimed as head injury), neuropathy of right upper extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was denied as he has not been diagnosed with a TBI during the appeal period.,The Veteran’s right knee scar is currently rated as noncompensable under DC 7805, and no higher rating is warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-concussion type syndrome was denied by the Board, and the decision upheld. The Veteran had subjective complaints of headaches associated with his post-concussion type syndrome but dementia was not demonstrated.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 15, 2017 for the grant of service connection for intermittent explosive disorder with ADHD and traumatic brain injury is denied. The earliest request to reopen his previously denied TBI claim was received on May 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on TBI with dizziness, depression, headaches, left knee ITB syndrome and right knee ITB syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his service-connected depression.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not secondary to his PTSD. Service connection for TBI residuals remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's character of discharge is not a bar to the receipt of VA compensation benefits, and his claims for service connection are remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a skin rash, TBI, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been withdrawn. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted with a 100% disability rating effective September 1, 2014.

The Veteran's TBI has not resulted in higher than level 2 impairment in any facet for rating TBI. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI prior to June 22, 2012 have not been met.,The criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with bipolar disorder and dextromethorphan dependence from June 22, 2012, to April 4, 2013, have not been met. A 100 percent rating for TBI with bipolar disorder and dextromethorphan dependence from April 4, 2013, to June 24, 2013, has been granted.,The criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with bipolar disorder and dextromethorphan dependence from November 1, 2013, to May 23, 2015, have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, right ear hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,For the right ear hearing loss, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, gout, residuals of meningitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, schizophrenia, memory loss and diminishing capacity), staph infection (to include various skin disorders), hypertension, loss of eyesight in one eye, residuals of frostbite, ingrown toenails, and loss of teeth, are not service-connected as they were not caused by or related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and cervical strain are related to his service, but the initial compensable rating for traumatic brain injury is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss case is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from Central Arkansas VAMC. The Board requests that these records be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and foot conditions, as well as hearing loss and TBI residuals, are dismissed. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle conditions, right and left knee conditions, back condition, residuals of TBI, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for TBI was reopened and granted, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and remanded the issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's use of wrist braces for service-connected disabilities causes abnormal wear and tear on his long-sleeve shirts, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2017.

The claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has determined that more evidence is needed to determine if sleep apnea and eye disability are related to TBI. The effective date of the award of service connection for tinnitus will be remanded as well.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date of March 25, 2015, for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder.,The Board also denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 31, 2015, for service connection for TBI with posttraumatic headaches.