Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including traumatic brain injury, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, TBI residuals, or cold injury residuals in both hands. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing in Orlando, Florida. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's scars of the left arm, face, and back of the head with retained shrapnel have been rated at 10 percent. The claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (excluding scars and headaches) has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite to his left middle finger is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion to clarify whether he has a current disability and if it is related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disability is not related to a traumatic brain injury incurred during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of frostbite in all four extremities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7122.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder, did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a higher rating for PTSD, were denied by the VA. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hand frostbite residuals, including any impact on occupational functioning. The private treatment records from Drs. O.O. and C.M. are also to be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing SSA records and other actions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including migraine headaches and memory loss, are currently rated at 30 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his memory loss but the claim for an increased rating for his migraines remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of asthmatic bronchitis and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the hands, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hydrocele, traumatic brain injury with memory loss, and bone spur of the right elbow were denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the proper claimant and whether the Veteran's death was related to his service, including any exposure to asbestos or frostbite.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for frostbite residuals of the right foot and hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.