Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensation benefits have been granted. The left leg venous insufficiency, left foot frostbite, and right foot frostbite are all rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for frostbite and a psychiatric disorder, finding no objective evidence of frostbite during service and insufficient medical evidence to link current conditions to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right eye and for residuals of a fracture of the great toe. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of frostbite, right foot do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are not shown to be productive of tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally, impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities such as osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis. The veteran's symptoms include pain, numbness, and cold sensitivity.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left thumb, finding that his in-service injury was incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral frostbite of the feet is granted and the effective date is set at June 16, 1997. The rating assigned is 30 percent for each foot.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans (RH) Insurance was denied because he had prostate cancer, which is not considered a service-connected condition. The total debits exceeded the maximum allowed under VA guidelines.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite and a psychiatric disorder. The original claim for residuals of frostbite was denied in April 1988, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left arm and hand due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in March 1956. The case will now proceed on its merits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the right foot and a right leg condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to his period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected heart condition, frostbite of the hands and feet, hiatal hernia with acid reflux, bilateral knee strain, left shoulder strain, and frostbite of the feet have all been denied. The initial evaluation for status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery angioplasty and stent placement remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frostbite of the hands are service-connected, as they were incurred during his active military duty in Korea.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current foot condition and any cold injury incurred during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not show current residuals of frostbite of the feet, and the medical findings related to the pes planus were consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's edema of the feet and skin manifestations between the fourth and fifth toes of her right foot are due to cold exposure in service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of frostbite to the lower extremities, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the April 24, 1995 rating decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the ears, fingers, and toes, a low back condition, hemorrhoids, and anemia. The claim for lupus erythematosus was granted with a rating increase to 100% effective from February 2, 2000.

The Board finds that the veteran has residuals of frostbite of the feet and toes that were incurred in service, and these disabilities continue to exist. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, post-traumatic headaches (residuals of concussion), and residuals of frostbite of both feet were granted effective January 10, 2000.