Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current Traumatic Brain Injury or Cervical Spine Disability (neck condition) related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claims will be adjudicated again after any necessary development.

The evidence does not demonstrate the current presence of residuals of traumatic brain injury, or that they are related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of TBI and sleep disorder are not related to his active duty service, as there is no credible evidence of a head injury during service or any current disabilities linked to such an injury. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to other factors.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for various conditions, but denied them as new and material evidence was not provided to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral foot is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and traumatic brain injury are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's hypothyroidism disability is not increased beyond the currently assigned 10% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for head injury residuals, including TBI residuals and a concussive disorder is granted. The issue of an increased disability rating for chronic tension headaches with an element of common migraine remains pending. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been raised.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood (including complaints of insomnia) was granted, and an effective date of April 5, 2010 was assigned. The Veteran also received a separate 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability secondary to left leg length discrepancy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local VA office.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing clarifying opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion from the VA examiner regarding his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no credible evidence showing he sustained such an injury in service.

The Veteran's claimed residuals of a head injury, including organic brain disease, traumatic brain injury, seizures, headaches, and loss of taste, are not shown to be due to an event or incident in service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and post traumatic headaches are all rated at their maximum levels. The Veteran is granted a higher initial evaluation for his PTSD from July 29, 2010 to December 14, 2011, and since December 15, 2011. He is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, cervical spine disability, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, left hand disability to include frostbite residuals, and right hand disability to include frostbite residuals have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and residuals of TBI are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI-related conditions including scars, headshake, balance, gait, and coordination disturbances is granted. The decision does not address the rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a traumatic brain injury are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his in-service exposure to IED detonations. The claim for bilateral pes planus and an increased rating for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been remanded.