Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — all decisions

The Board remands several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, including a back disability, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, to include plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The claims for other conditions were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there was no current diagnosis of TBI and no medical evidence linking any current symptoms to an in-service event.

The Board granted an effective date of September 21, 2010, for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) rated as 50 percent disabling but denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and traumatic brain injury.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU, SMC based on housebound status, and separate evaluations for residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for epilepsy, psychomotor and service connection for right middle finger scar. Several claims were withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for lung scarring and remanded the other issues for further development.

The appeals for ratings and effective dates associated with frostbite of the left and right feet, as well as lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, were dismissed. The issues related to knee limitations and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right arm disability was granted a 30 percent rating from September 20, 2024, and a 40 percent rating effective April 28, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for TBI was denied.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no current diagnosis of TBI and the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between the claimed condition and active service.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for TBI residuals with headaches as there was no objective evidence on testing of impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions; impaired judgment; inappropriate social interaction; disorientation; impaired motor activity; impaired visual spatial orientation; subjective symptoms that moderately interfere with function; neurobehavioral effects that at least frequently interfere with interaction; more than occasional inability to communicate or comprehend; or persistently altered stated of consciousness.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional evidence, specifically the Veteran's complete service treatment records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury, bilateral knee disabilities, and sinus disability prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal prior to January 26, 2009.

The Board denied an initial disability rating greater than 70 percent for service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury and remanded the claim for a separate disability rating for headache episode residuals of TBI.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right ankle tendinosis prior to January 6, 2022, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent as of that date. A separate 30 percent rating was also granted for dizziness and imbalance associated with TBI.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during the Veteran's period of active service or within one year after his completion of active service. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a readjudication of the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, denied service connection for a skin disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded claims for service connection for TBI.