Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2002

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for the residuals of frostbite of the left hand and a 10% evaluation for right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions meet the criteria under the new VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and left thumb, finding that there was no current disability for the left thumb and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for angioneurotic edema and residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, as well as reopening the claim for hemorrhoids. The issue of increased evaluation for dyshidrosis with tinea pedis was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of frostbite or fragment wounds during service and concluding that any current arthritis is not related to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for pension benefits is denied as he did not file a claim within one year of becoming permanently and totally disabled.

The Board found no chronic residual disability associated with the veteran's frostbite in service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and frostbite, caused or contributed to the veteran's death due to a pedestrian versus motor vehicle accident. The appellant appealed this decision.

The Board found no medical evidence showing current residuals of the veteran's frostbite injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left ear and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for residuals of frostbite. The hypertension was determined not to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the residuals of frostbite of both feet are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of frostbite of both ears prior to November 17, 1998 and increased the evaluations to 10 percent for each ear after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized home improvements and structural alterations, finding that there was no medical emergency necessitating the installation in March 1997.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and seizure disorder secondary to a head injury, but denied the claims for infectious hepatitis and psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected frozen feet and frostbite residuals are rated at 10% prior to January 12, 1998, and at 30% effective from that date.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to inservice cold exposure.