The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic brain injury and lumbosacral strain were denied. The Veteran's TBI residuals have been characterized by mild cognitive impairment, including memory loss and difficulties with concentration, attention, and executive functions, but no other significant symptoms or disabilities related to his service-connected condition. His lumbosacral strain has been asymptomatic.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's subjective complaints of memory loss and difficulties with concentration, attention, and executive functions were not supported by objective evidence on testing, and the examiner found that these residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Headaches, Essential Tremors
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2015
- Citation
- 1547710
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1547710.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, including unsteady gait, somnolence, and cognitive dysfunction. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements about in-service head injuries and subsequent seizures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and therefore, service connection for TBI is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD, but his headaches are denied due to lack of service connection.
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