Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy from March 1, 2020, to August 4, 2020, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis during the same period. The Board also denied other claims including service connection for residuals of head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), an initial compensable rating for posterior trunk scar, and effective dates prior to November 1, 2020, for separate ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a traumatic brain injury to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for the soft tissue mass of the forehead and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board granted an effective date of July 6, 2020, for the 70 percent rating for TBI residuals and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for a compensable disability rating for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation for TBI with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) and PTSD, but granted an effective date of November 14, 2014, for a 50 percent evaluation for headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a TBI with memory loss and major depressive disorder, as well as remanded an issue related to the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD, and remanded the claim for a TBI rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for residuals of right and left foot frostbite to obtain additional evidence, including medical records from Grand Forks Air Force Base Hospital, and a new VA examination.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service-connected traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, but denied a revision of the July 13, 2011, rating decision that granted compensation for left shoulder condition at 10 percent disabling based on clear and unmistakable error. The Board also granted an increased disability evaluation to 40 percent for the period on appeal for service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and denied service connection for pneumonia. The issue of service connection for frostbite (feet) was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and remanded claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, right hip, headaches, persistent depressive disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with residuals of TBI, as the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for the service-connected unspecified bipolar and related disorders (subsequently rated as traumatic brain injury with chronic traumatic encephalopathy and insomnia) based on symptoms that more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a TBI, as the evidence did not support finding that the Veteran has current residuals associated with an in-service TBI.

The Board dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for headaches and a head injury (claimed as a TBI) due to lack of jurisdiction, while remanding the claim for Parkinsonism.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) with headaches to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on new and relevant evidence that was submitted.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and denied service connection for anemia, high cholesterol, muscle aches, benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, frostbite residuals, gonorrhea residuals, and hypertension.