Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability were granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC(t) prior to October 16, 2024 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a need for higher level aid and attendance before this date.,For the earlier effective dates of service connection for erectile dysfunction and grant of SMC(k), the claim was also denied as there was no factual basis to establish entitlement prior to April 27, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, seizure disorder associated with TBI, and dementia have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective April 13, 2011, he is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and generalized anxiety disorder. The right sacroiliac joint dysfunction and TBI claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder strain, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, rib(s) condition, and TBI have been dismissed.,The Veteran's attempts to appeal the July 2023 and June 2024 rating decisions were premature as these actions did not constitute final agency decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with TBI residuals is being remanded due to an error in the AOJ decision regarding the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appealed issues related to effective dates, including those for TBI, tinnitus, tension headaches, bilateral eye disability, psychiatric disability, hypertension, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria were granted, effective September 22, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded because an inadequate examination was conducted by the VA TBI examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities due to new evidence not being relevant to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite, bilateral feet should be remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not affording her with a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to readjudicate the claim for service connection for anxiety based on new and relevant evidence is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for TBI are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for left hand tremors, right hand tremors, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right shoulder scar, PTSD with TBI, and low back disorder have been granted effective February 12, 2021. Earlier effective dates are not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it is due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial rating for memory loss, residuals of TBI from July 21, 2020 to September 9, 2020 is denied. The appeal for service connection for left ankle disorder and varicose veins of the lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of evidence showing he requires personal care services or supervision. The case is being remanded to reconsider this decision with new medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for chronic post-traumatic headaches and a TBI were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for PTSD, TBI with concussion, and related conditions are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's TBI rating was restored to 70 percent, effective July 1, 2021. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted, effective November 30, 2019.