Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's TBI residuals claim was also denied.,The Board found no current disabilities for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions are dismissed.,The rating reduction from 20 percent to 0 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder with chronic separation was proper.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for residuals of a traumatic head injury and vascular disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's private attorney argues that these conditions are related to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, and there was no basis for earlier effective dates for PTSD or TBI.

The Board has decided that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran can manage his VA funds due to his psychiatric disability and/or traumatic brain injury residuals.

The Veteran's service records show a motor vehicle accident during service, but no direct evidence of a head injury. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if he has a current TBI diagnosis related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the May 2017 decision and the inadequacy of past VA examinations. An additional VA examination by a neurologist is needed to determine the current severity of TBI and distinguish PTSD symptoms from TBI symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated application for part-time work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and TBI have been remanded due to the need for additional records and an addendum opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new evidence. The PTSD claim is remanded, as are claims for TBI residuals and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hernia resulting from VA care is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left and right foot frostbite residuals are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, with no extra-schedular consideration granted. The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is remanded due to missing VA treatment records from 2003 to 2006. The Board finds that these records are relevant and should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of recurrent tinnitus during active service and the current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for TBI with subjective speech impairment was denied as his residuals do not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under DC 8045.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Service connection was denied for vasomotor rhinitis, as there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TBI is found to be incurred during service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have not been rated appropriately, and a remand is ordered to obtain updated medical evidence and determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to outdated examination reports. The cases are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that the Veteran's cognitive impairment, subjective symptoms, and emotional/behavioral dysfunction do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his loss of sense of smell was dismissed. His claim for a 10% initial evaluation for loss of taste associated with TBI is granted, and he is now assigned a 70% rating for residuals of TBI.