Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and frostbite residuals were granted. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service loud noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. For the issue of frostbite/cold injury residuals, a VA examination is needed to determine if any such residuals are present and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 10 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury without residuals prior to March 28, 2013, with no further increase in rating.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI with cognitive disorder not otherwise specified and assigned a 40 percent rating, effective June 26, 2009. The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various conditions, including hypertension, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The Board has ordered the case back for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service. The reduction of the rating for TBI from 70% to 0% was upheld based on improvement in residuals of TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, hypertension, and headaches. The initial evaluations for PTSD, lip laceration scar, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's headaches began during service and have continued since then. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a headache disorder, recurrent headaches since service, and a causal relationship between his present disability and his in-service headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider the Veteran's participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining Army Reserve service treatment records and scheduling a VA ENT examination to address claimed residuals of a traumatic brain injury, specifically whether current symptoms of dizziness are related to trauma reported in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's loss of sense of smell and taste are not related to service, including any alleged TBI. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied. The claims for service connection for a tremor disorder and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating, and her chronic sinus congestion/residuals of nasal fracture and laceration do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. The specific issues of rating claims and service connection are not addressed as the appeal is in process.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing appropriate notice to the Veteran and obtaining private treatment records. The VA employability examination must also be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and need for additional etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's foot conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported head injury during service did not result in residuals, and his current headaches are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for traumatic brain injury with PTSD and anxiety remains in appellate status.

The Board found that the Veteran has not been diagnosed as suffering from residuals of a traumatic brain injury and therefore denied his claim for service connection.