Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Psoriasis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of his conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury can be adjudicated.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of frostbite and broken toes, which he claims are related to in-service exposure to cold weather. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the feet and legs with arthritis, swelling, and weakness of the feet and knees, left shoulder arthritis, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis. The decision also found that PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found no current residuals of frostbite in the Veteran's hands, but granted service connection for sensory peripheral neuropathy of both feet. The decision is mixed as it grants one issue and denies another.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for frostbite residuals of the left foot, and will now adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's residuals of frostbite were rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2009, and at 30 percent from that date. The claim for higher ratings is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected traumatic brain injury, and denied his claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraines.

The Veteran's residuals of frostbite to both lower extremities are productive of pain, nail abnormalities, impaired sensation, and hyperhidrosis. The Board has determined that the criteria for higher initial evaluations have been met.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and residuals of traumatic brain injury have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of major or minor seizures, ulcers, tinnitus, headaches, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, colitis, or liver disorder that are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting his feet and hands, finding that there is no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but his claim for left hand Dupuytren's contracture is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran has residuals of frostbite of the hands, which is causally related to his service. The Veteran's claims for kidney stones and bladder disability are denied as there is no current evidence of a disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% disability rating, and his previously denied claim of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is reopened. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and extent of his service-connected frostbite residuals, including any fungal infection of the toenails.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for frostbite of the right foot is denied. A 10% rating is assigned for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not indicate any residuals of a head injury or TBI. A VA examination in April 2009 and November 2010 did not find the Veteran to be suffering from such conditions, and there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.