The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the presence and etiology of TBI, as well as any current hip disabilities. The Veteran's service records indicate he was struck by a grenade in March 1969, but his memory of this event is unclear. His recent testimony suggests he may have been unconscious after the incident. For hip disabilities, VA treatment records show bilateral hip pain and deficits in strength and motion limitations.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that new evidence from a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran has diagnosed TBI or current hip disabilities, as his memory of service events may be unclear.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Left Hip Disability, Right Hip Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151091
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 18151091.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.
- 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 claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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