Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to new and material evidence received since the final August 2012 rating decision. The issue is remanded as there are outstanding VA medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lower back disability and an effective date earlier than April 25, 2011 for his TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a lower back disability related to military service and that he did not file any formal or informal claims for TBI prior to April 25, 2011.

The Veteran's TBI was granted, and the effective date is September 26, 2007.,Tinnitus has a maximum rating of 10 percent, which is already assigned. No higher ratings are available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a back disability, a right ankle disability with broken blood vessel and swelling, residuals of frostbite of the right hand and thumb, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder due to failure to provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of paresis of the fifth cranial nerve has been granted, but his claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and residuals of traumatic brain injury have been remanded.,The Board will need to provide a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service facial fracture and if his residuals of traumatic brain injury are related to his in-service football accident.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, frostbite injury to bilateral ears, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty sleeping, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury and for an initial compensable rating for chronic migraine headaches associated with residuals of a TBI due to lack of recent medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, effective from October 6, 2014. The appeals to service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and for a traumatic brain injury, based on the medical evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting evidence opinions. The Veteran's TBI and PTSD need to be reassessed by different qualified physicians.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Headaches are granted, with an effective date of January 26, 2006.

The Veteran's tinnitus was related to service, but he did not have residuals of traumatic brain injury during the pendency of his claim.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a right leg condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right leg condition and his service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's physical and mental disabilities necessitate the aid and attendance of another person to assist with some activities of daily living and protect him from ordinary hazards. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for frostbite, trench foot, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and TBI due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his initial disability rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in writing.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of frostbite of both hands due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a TBI and entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 14, 2015 due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.