The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and remanded the claims for service connection for a benign head tumor, left ear hearing loss, neurological impairment of cranial nerves, and balance disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran incurred a TBI during service. The Board also found that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if the benign head tumor is related to the in-service head injury or if any current left ear hearing loss, neurological impairment of cranial nerves, and balance disorder are caused by the tumor.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Benign Head Tumor, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Neurological Impairment of Cranial Nerves, Balance Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19166613
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 19166613.
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 granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an unclear employment history and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder moderate and TBI was granted as of October 22, 2019.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased evaluations for GERD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and TBI.
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