Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2006

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA social and industrial survey, neurological, and psychiatric examinations to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting both the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to reopening a claim and service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for frostbite of his hands and feet, as well as a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner with an opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's complaints regarding his feet.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a disability attributable to in-service frostbite injury of his feet and therefore denies service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands, which he claims occurred during active duty in Alaska. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss and frostbite of the right foot have been granted, with a maximum rating of 10% for hearing loss and 30% for frostbite of the right foot. The RO has also confirmed the effective date as July 24, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disorder, bladder cancer, visual impairment, and frostbite residuals. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for the residuals of frostbite affecting his right and left feet are being remanded due to procedural issues related to VCAA notification.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury and frostbite to the hands, finding no current residuals associated with these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is primarily unable to work due to a low back disability from an intercurrent injury and severe heart disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of his right hand. The RO is now remanded to address his claim for residuals of frostbite of his right leg.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden or housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite, a sleep disorder, blurred vision, and a left shoulder disability. The claim for Agent Orange exposure was not addressed as it is presumed to be associated with other conditions already granted.

The Board has found that a timely substantive appeal was filed from the October 1998 rating decision which denied service connection for a forearm and right elbow condition, jungle rot of the feet, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for malaria is also remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral foot condition, including frostbite and foot fungus, is not due to disease or injury incurred in service. The claim for service connection is denied.