Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The claim for service connection for TBI has been reopened based on new and material evidence. The claims for increased evaluations of the right knee and ankle strain are being remanded, as is the claim for an earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim for major depressive disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA Compensation and Pension examinations, insufficient lay evidence, and need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury was denied. His claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative disc disease was also denied. The Board remanded his claims for service connection of left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities as well as the TDIU claim prior to June 25, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for TBI is remanded due to the inconsistency between the findings on a September 2014 VA examination and the Veteran’s lay reports of his TBI symptomatology. The Board finds that the November 2018 VA fee-based examination is inadequate because the examiner failed to address the Veteran's lay contention that he has short-term memory impairment and short temper as a result of his TBI.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted, and these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below. The Veteran must provide any further medical evidence not currently in VA's possession regarding her alleged service-connected disabilities. The case should be handled expeditiously.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence of current residuals or a diagnosis of TBI, and the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to other conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for TBI residuals is granted. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to the lack of STRs and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left lower extremity condition, eczema, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination for service connection of TBI.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for TBI, blurred vision secondary to TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for dizzy spells, nausea, and memory loss claimed as residuals to a traumatic brain injury; a right knee condition; anemia; and a stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome) due to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The low back disability issue is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to unclear medical records prior to June 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and frostbite residuals was denied by the Board. The TDIU was granted effective October 13, 2011, but the Veteran sought an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a traumatic brain injury with migraines and cervical spine disability due to inconsistencies in his reported incidents. The evidence does not support finding that he sustained a traumatic brain injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to properly evaluate his TBI and its impact on his psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and depression.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI residuals with PTSD and migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.