Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including verification of a stressor and further examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for chronic disability of the left hand, chronic disability of the left index finger, frostbitten hands and feet, and dental problems to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee, left hip and low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability; PTSD; and residuals of frostbite to hands, face and feet due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the feet and bilateral hydrocele were denied, while his claim for a nose condition was also denied. However, he was granted service connection for bilateral hydrocele.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the underlying merits.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of frostbite injury to his feet were denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, memory loss/dementia due to head injury, a right leg disorder, and loss of feeling in the foot due to frostbite as no current disabilities were shown and there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.