Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, residuals of a left clavicle fracture, and frostbite residuals due to lack of competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have any medically identifiable residuals of frostbite of the feet, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, frostbite residuals, and arthritis of the knees, ankles, and lumbar spine, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease and did not reopen the claim of residuals of frostbite due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for frozen and frostbitten feet, finding no competent medical evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet is being remanded due to a scheduling issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current frostbite residuals and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed frostbite injury or right eye disorder, and thus service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to the injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected frostbite residuals meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite of the feet was denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hypertension, heart disability, circulatory disability or any residuals of a cold injury that are the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for twisted ankles and legs, a pulled Achilles tendon, tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and an initial compensable evaluation for the removal of his left great toenail. The claim for frostbite of the feet was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran has residuals of frostbite, which is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of frostbite to his feet and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The veteran's symptoms included painful feet, numbness, cold sensitivity, and hyperhidrosis. However, the Board found that these symptoms did not warrant a higher than 20 percent evaluation under the applicable VA criteria.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected residuals of frostbite of the feet, PTSD, and sinusitis were denied as there was no ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 10, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right leg, increased ratings for frostbite of the feet, and an original disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The VA determined that the veteran did not have residuals of frostbite of the feet and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, blood and/or sun poisoning, and pneumonia. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to active service.