Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral arm numbness and traumatic brain injury were dismissed. The appeal for an initial PTSD rating was granted, but the claim of entitlement to a higher rating prior to September 26, 2014, and since that date remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include traumatic brain injury, finding that the Veteran did not have identifiable and chronic residuals of a TBI separate from his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for TBI and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his TBI, and his employment history should also be evaluated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for hepatitis C and traumatic brain injury, but remands them due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection is pending.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic arthritis of multiple joints and low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, left shoulder disability, right hand disability (claimed as swollen right hand), left heel spur, TBI, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo have also been remanded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 9, 2008. The Board finds that the combined rating percentage requirements were met during certain periods and not met at other times.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury with cognitive disorder NOS has rendered him incapable of obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU for the entire appeal period.

Service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's left-hand ring finger disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite residuals and peripheral neuropathy of the feet need to be evaluated for actual loss of use, as there is insufficient information on their current severity. The claim will be remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding higher disability evaluations for his service connected TBI and left knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, TBI, headaches, IBS-GERD, chronic fatigue/hypersomnolence, and sleep impairment (claimed as sleep apnea).

Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, TBI, and headaches.,Service connection is granted for IBS-GERD with a 30% rating. Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue/hypersomnolence and sleep impairment (claimed as sleep apnea).

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for cervical spine DJD, hypertension, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The TBI, equilibrium disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are also denied.

The Veteran's tension headaches have been granted a 30% rating from March 2, 2016 to May 19, 2017. From May 19, 2017, the maximum schedular evaluation of 50% has been assigned.,The Veteran's TBI was initially rated noncompensable and increased to 10% from May 19, 2017. The current rating is still considered insufficient for a higher evaluation.,Left ankle tendonitis remains at the initial 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for left ankle strain, traumatic brain injury residuals, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, and PTSD due to missing STRs and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TBI are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, head trauma residuals, vertigo, and vision disabilities. The effective date for PTSD service connection remains under review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and analysis due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's TBI residuals, including recent MRI findings. The issues of a compensable rating for TBI and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, low back disability, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not currently substantiated as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.