Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and frostbite injuries to the hands and feet are being remanded due to incomplete development of his records.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for residuals of frostbite, facial injuries, dental injuries, and neurological seizures.,Service connection is granted for PTSD with an initial rating of 30%.

The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnosis for residuals of frostbite to the feet, and denied service connection.,There was no causal link between the veteran's headaches in service and any remote incident in service. The Board also denied service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of frostbite of the hands are etiologically related to cold weather exposure during his active service.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the legal requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite to the lower extremities and hypertension, finding that there is no competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing due to the Veterans Law Judge who conducted his previous hearing no longer being available.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, frostbite of the feet, and tinnitus, are found to be sufficient to render him unemployable.

The veteran's prostate enlargement is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available under VA rating criteria.,The veteran's degenerative changes of the right knee are currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 15, 2006 and 30 percent beginning on that date. The current ratings for the left knee remain unchanged.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the right foot have been rated at 20 percent since August 4, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's residuals of frostbite of the left foot were initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2000 and remain at that level. A higher evaluation is not warranted due to lack of supporting evidence.,The veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 1998, with no higher rating available under VA criteria.,The veteran's tinea cruris was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 1998 and remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of frostbitten feet, and his right ankle sprain, right hand injury residuals, right shin/tibia disability, bladder disability, right knee disability, or low back disability are not related to service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence of arthritis in the veteran's hips, and thus denied his claim for service connection.,There is no current disability related to a frostbite injury identified in the records, leading to denial of the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite.,No competent medical evidence linked macular degeneration to service. The Board therefore denied the veteran's claim for service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's frostbite residuals warrant a rating of 30 percent for each foot from October 7, 2005 onwards. The evidence supports this decision as it shows persistent symptoms such as numbness, cold sensitivity, and nail abnormalities without meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current cognitive disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current residuals of frostbite of the feet have not been demonstrated and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a cold injury during service, and the veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service. The Board found insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the veteran's current condition may be associated with service.

The veteran's service-connected frostbite residuals and bipolar disorder have been rated appropriately, with no need for higher ratings based on the provided evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for arthritis of the right great toe. The veteran's current foot conditions are considered to be due to his diabetes mellitus.