Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a hearing, as well as to consider new medical evidence. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury, including traumatic brain injury, is pending.

The Veteran's increased ratings for frostbite residuals of both feet and cold weather injury residuals of both hands were denied. However, he was granted increased ratings for the cold weather injuries of his right hand and left hand effective May 26, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder, which existed prior to his active duty service, did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI with recurrent headaches, effective January 21, 2009. The Veteran's claim is now pending on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and PTSD have been productive of severe economic inadaptability during the entire claims period, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's TBI is found to be related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted service connection for TBI and PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of dizziness, confusion, and headaches following head injuries sustained in Iraq are consistent with his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for chronic head injury residuals is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a recent Court decision, including consideration of new evidence and possible issuance of an SSOC.

The case is being remanded for further development, including adjudicating service connection claims and obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran's mood disorder due to traumatic brain injury from June 29, 2005 to May 21, 2007, based on total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI, as well as a TDIU are being remanded due to missing records and the need to obtain additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as chronic lumbar sprain with right sided radiculopathy and spondylosis, was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for TBI residuals other than post-traumatic headaches is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a cold injury to the feet during service and that any current residuals are not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite injuries is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, and chronic migraines are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as they were determined to be unrelated to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to conflicting opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches have been rated at 50 percent disabling, effective July 26, 2011. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted, as he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.