Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for TBI, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical strain and traumatic brain injury have worsened, and the Board finds that updated VA examinations are necessary to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for TBI, Alzheimer’s disease, headaches, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and heart disability. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Sleep Apnea, HTN, DM, TBI, and Bilateral Neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as her cognitive impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case because it needs to obtain SSA records that may contain new and material evidence relevant to your claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury, claimed as chronic head injury and concussion.

The Veteran's service-connected concussion (residual of TBI) is rated at 40 percent as of October 7, 2016. The effective date for this rating remains January 11, 2014.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for various other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left hand injury, mouth injury, and traumatic brain injury were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for degenerative lumbar spondylosis was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent rating from October 28, 2014; and increased to a 70 percent rating prior to August 13, 2015. The VA has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the period prior to August 13, 2015.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals, including posttraumatic headaches, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service records show a motor vehicle accident in January 1981 resulting in TBI. The VA and private medical opinions support the finding of TBI, with associated symptoms like memory loss and headaches. Anxiety and major depressive disorder are found to be secondary to these TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include TBI and headaches, and rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spondylosis, to include whether a separate rating is warranted for right leg radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of whether the appellant was insane at the time of his involuntary manslaughter, which led to his dishonorable discharge. The VA will obtain all relevant records and schedule a medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of her claims, including TBI cognitive impairment residuals and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and TBI due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions, with potential links to asbestos exposure, in-service MVA, or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development. Specifically, additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA treatment records are required.

The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches have been rated at the lowest available level (10%) throughout the appeal period, as there is no evidence of more than mild impairment in any facet for TBI or characteristic prostrating attacks for migraines.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for TBI was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to an incorrect diagnosis by a psychologist, who is not qualified to diagnose TBI. As a result, service connection was properly severed.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are rated at a 40 percent rating, effective from September 25, 2009. The Veteran’s migraines associated with the traumatic brain injury are not rated higher than 10 percent.