The Board found that there is no evidence of a head injury or brain damage in service, and the veteran's current cognitive impairment does not appear to be related to his military service.
The deciding factor: There was no significant closed head trauma documented during service, and the current cognitive deficits are more likely due to other factors such as multiple surgeries and possible hypoxic effects on brain function.
- Claimed conditions
- brain damage, cognitive disorder not otherwise specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2008
- Citation
- 0819026
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0819026.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension and remanded several other claims, including those for brain damage, memory loss, vertigo, seizures, acquired psychiatric disability, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board's decision on July 23, 2019, is vacated and the issues are remanded for reconsideration under the modernized review system.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's discharge status, allowing them to receive VA benefits. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of service connection claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records from TBI C.E. related to his acquired psychiatric disability, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder with depression, and cognitive disorder not otherwise specified.
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