Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted, but the Board has determined that neither condition warrants a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of extra-schedular evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for TBI.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right orbital and macular fractures, nor did it meet the criteria for a compensable rating for TBI prior to October 12, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected post concussion syndrome associated with traumatic brain injury and whether it presents an exceptional or unusual disability picture that requires frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including searching for relevant unit records and providing a VA examination to determine if his current foot, ankle, and lower leg disorders are related to cold weather exposure in Korea during service.

The Board found no residuals of a TBI and denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder. The claim for TDIU was also addressed, but not decided as it is part of the remand process.

The Veteran's skin cancer and foot disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about possible in-service radiation exposure. The claims will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals from shrapnel wound to the head, traumatic brain injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as mental health condition to include PTSD) due to lack of credible evidence supporting these conditions during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hand disorder, including skin and neurological disorders previously claimed as frostbite of the fingers, is related to his military service. The benefit of doubt has been granted in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, a spine disability, and hypertension. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's fractured mandible and TBI were due to his own willful misconduct, resulting in denial of service connection.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include cold injury residuals affecting multiple body systems. The combined disability rating meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than headaches, was denied. The Board found no probative evidence confirming the Veteran has any current disability related to TBI or that he had this alleged condition at any point since filing his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, high triglycerides and cholesterol, chronic obesity, poor blood circulation, dry mouth, Gulf War Syndrome, polyps, gastrointestinal disorder, eye disability, respiratory disorder, heart disease, skin cancer, varicose veins, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The reasons were provided based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from his period of service was not under dishonorable conditions, thus allowing him to receive VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, warrants a 100% rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to service, including a cold injury or frostbite. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left thigh disorder characterized by numbness, were denied as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture.