Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues, including service connection and increased ratings.

The Board remands the claims for an examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD, specifically to identify the effects of the TBI and the effects of the PTSD since April 20, 2022.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for both the denial of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the grant of service connection for a traumatic brain injury, due to untimely filing.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for eligibility in financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or any other specified conditions.

The Board denied entitlement to separate evaluations for major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury due to overlapping symptoms.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, service connection for female sexual arousal disorder secondary to the service-connected conditions, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate. The appeal regarding entitlement to a TDIU was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with PTSD and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, granted TDIU for the period from January 26, 2016 to November 26, 2018, and granted SMC based on housebound status from February 7, 2025 onward.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, TBI residuals, depression, and sleep apnea after finding new and material evidence was submitted. The claims for left ear hearing loss, hepatitis C, and other conditions were remanded.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including lumbar condition, headaches, sinusitis, TBI, gastroenteritis, heart disease, leg cramps, PFB, nausea, skin rash on arms, feet calluses, and tinea versicolor.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder; heat stroke residuals; and TBI. The claim for a higher rating for dermatitis of the face was denied, as were claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD and TBI, as well as an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for migraines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for seizure disorder and TBI with PTSD, as these conditions are already rated at 100 percent.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome but denied a higher rating and a greater than 30 percent rating for MDD, while remanding claims for migraines and residuals of TBI with central vertigo.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, post traumatic pain cervical cervicothoracic regions, and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The initial ratings for various service-connected conditions were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the October 2016 rating decision that awarded a 10 percent rating for traumatic brain injury on the basis of Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE).

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and ratings for various conditions, including left knee limitation of extension, left knee (subluxation/instability), left knee degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis, left upper cervical radiculopathy, and headaches associated with a traumatic brain injury.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome, 10 percent for chronic sinusitis, 50 percent for tension headaches, and 30 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury and sinusitis, but granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis with hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates effective February 1, 2025. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and remanded claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and an initial increased rating for traumatic brain injury with generalized anxiety disorder.