Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of frostbite of both feet was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent. The claim for secondary skin cancer to the service-connected condition was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet with an effective date of November 1, 1996. The veteran's claim was reopened in August 1, 1996.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet was granted with an effective date of November 1, 1996. The rating assigned is 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, but he was granted separate ratings of 30 percent for residuals of cold injury to both hands and feet since January 12, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and residuals of tenosynovitis of the right ankle/Achilles tendon. The claim for residuals of frostbite of the feet was well grounded, while the claim for residuals of tenosynovitis of the right ankle/Achilles tendon was not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, angina, fungus on the toes, numbness of the feet, cellulitis of the legs, and osteomyelitis are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found no current diagnosis of residuals of frostbite or other cold injury, and thus the claim is not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of both feet, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his shrapnel fragment wound to the right thigh and service connection for frostbite residuals of the right foot. The veteran was granted a noncompensable evaluation for the shrapnel fragment wound, but his claim for frostbite residuals was denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board denied all claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for any of the listed issues.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet (frostbite) and granted it, finding that new evidence confirms current disability and a nexus to service.

The Board determined that the veteran's claims for left lower extremity frostbite residuals, arthritis, and a vascular disability were not well-grounded. The VA did not have sufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied both claims for service connection for schizophrenia and frostbite of the extremities as they are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support the claim of nicotine dependence or tobacco use in service causing his death.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition and denied the veteran's claims for frostbite residuals of the arms, hands, and legs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, heart disorders including hypertension, and loss of visual acuity are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of a cold injury (frostbite) is granted, with the effective date set at May 13, 1993.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss, reopening of service connection for left knee condition and residuals of frostbite of the feet were denied. The RO found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of frostbite and sympathectomy were denied. The 10 percent rating assigned was upheld, but a 30 percent rating was granted for the right foot and left foot disabilities effective January 12, 1998.