The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no current residuals of a TBI and that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder may be related to his vision loss rather than service-connected tinnitus. The examination was incomplete as it did not address aggravation by service-connected tinnitus, which is necessary for secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21002201
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 21002201.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder, photophobia, and headaches are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder condition, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and TBI residuals due to potential errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to in-service blast injuries, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding the presence of a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current TBI residuals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination and obtain an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service head injury.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.