Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether he was on active duty for training or inactive duty training at the time of his motorcycle accident. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since May 28, 2013 and remains at that level. Headaches have not resulted in a compensable rating.

The Veteran's head injury and resulting conditions are not deemed to be caused by VA care, treatment, or examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and anxiety, is related to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and anxiety, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his tinnitus and hyperacusis, as well as evaluate his service connection claims. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea as a TBI residual, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his in-service explosion. The Board granted service connection for multiple explosion residuals of TBI, headaches, and facial scars.

The Veteran's PTSD and fibromyalgia are service-connected, with the TBI residuals not being a separate issue. The Veteran is granted a higher initial rating for PTSD from February 5, 2010, and a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches is rated at 30 percent, effective October 16, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of TBI that are etiologically related to a head injury during his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI, scarring of the head, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disability. The Veteran did not have a scar on his head at any time during the appeal period. His migraines were rated as 10 percent disabling based on characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and bilateral elbow disability.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and mild traumatic brain injury with memory impairment are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new TBI examination to be conducted by one of the four designated specialists (physiatrist, psychiatrist, neurologist, or neurosurgeon).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current TBI residuals are etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for residuals of a TBI.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current residuals of frostbite to the right hand or left hand, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's TIA and hypertension are found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10% for TBI and a compensable rating for headaches prior to October 20, 2014 has been denied. The evidence did not show objective cognitive impairment or prostrating attacks for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.