Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to disputes regarding the veteran's PTSD claim and evaluation of his frostbite residuals. The issues include verifying the stressor event that led to PTSD, as well as evaluating the severity of his frostbite.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to July 23, 2004. The evidence did not support higher ratings for PTSD or a finding of unemployability due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's current cold sensitivity and numbness in his hands and feet are not related to frostbite injuries sustained during service, as there is no evidence of such injuries or manifestations thereof. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board found no evidence of frostbite in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The VA examinations will be scheduled to address his hypertension, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a lumbosacral strain, residuals of excision of warts on the right hand, residuals of frostbite of the nose, and fractures of the fingers and ribs. Service connection was also denied for hemorrhoids, heart condition, prostate cancer, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but remanded the case for further development as it pertains to his head injury and left thumb injury.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected injuries are related to his severe lymphedema, peripheral vascular disease, and osteomyelitis. Therefore, service connection is granted for a vascular injury and lymphedema to the lower extremities; and osteomyelitis of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the service-connected PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of the veteran's death. The VA and private medical records do not show a causal link between the veteran's PTSD and his cardiovascular disease, which was found to be caused by other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.

The Board granted a compensable rating of 20 percent for the service-connected chip fracture of the left ankle and found that the veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for tinea pedis. The claim for service connection for frostbite of the feet was also granted.

The veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and a total rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection on the basis of new and material evidence, but denied the claim as there is no competent medical evidence establishing that the veteran suffered frostbite of his right foot during service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder on the right calf and for residuals of frostbite in the hands, finding no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.