Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation and to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the assignment of the effective date of the initial award of service connection for TBI.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, and left knee disorders, as well as a skull fracture (claimed as TBI) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims were based on the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries but lacked supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was denied as there is no evidence of current residuals.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for right foot disability and gastritis, duodenitis and gastric polyp were also denied due to lack of prior formal or informal claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left hand disorder and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for his impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The appeal was also remanded for further action on the TBI residuals claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's TBI claim. A new examination is needed to determine if his memory loss and other neurological symptoms are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral shoulder disability, residuals of frostbite to both hands, and vertigo. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for certain rating claims and the notice of disagreement regarding service connection was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and TBI have been granted service connection. An initial rating of 40 percent for TBI prior to November 13, 2013 has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, a higher rating for PTSD, and SMC due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims are currently before the Board.

The reduction in the Veteran’s rating for residuals of TBI from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and the prior rating is restored.,The criteria for an effective date earlier than October 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depression are not met.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s PTSD with major depression meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

Service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury was denied.,Initial increased ratings of 10% each were granted for Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy prior to October 11, 2018, and Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy prior to October 11, 2018.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for Hemorrhoids.,Effective dates of November 1, 2011 were granted for service connection of Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy and Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy. The effective date for service connection of Hemorrhoids was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI with headaches and cognitive impairment as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right eye disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of greater impairment in any cognitive facet. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and TBI as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a link between any in-service injuries and the current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical guidance and examination regarding his claimed disabilities, including TBI, breathing problems, and sleep apnea. The VA will obtain treatment records, schedule examinations, and determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to a request to participate in the RAMP program. The issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective August 9, 2016. The TBI remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his migraine headaches, PTSD with TBI, and TDIU.

The Veteran's macular hole surgery is granted reimbursement, as it was necessary for treatment of a disability associated with and aggravating his service-connected traumatic brain injury residuals.