Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include the anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity, deep partial thickness burns that have resulted in contractures with limitation of motion of two or more extremities or of at least one extremity and the trunk, full thickness or subdermal burns that have resulted in contractures with limitation of motion of one or more extremities or the trunk, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, his claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and chronic neck/cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection was denied for loss of teeth #7 and 10 due to lack of in-service trauma. The Veteran's TBI claim is pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury and headaches. As a result, the Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, TBI, and asthma.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected frostbite, but rather a combination of other conditions including coronary artery disease and diabetes. The Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a local hearing with a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The claims of service connection for TBI, cervical spine issues, and facial injuries are pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a statement of the case as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury with residual headaches, and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 90 percent disabling, but they do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and granted it. The Veteran was also found to have a current diagnosis of TBI, left shoulder disability, and skin disability (including xerosis and due to an undiagnosed illness).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a combined effects opinion on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling examinations and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant SSA records and verifying herbicide exposure. A VA examination is also needed to determine if current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's allegations of sexual assault during service and to obtain his Social Security Administration records. The appeal is remanded for further adjudication.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to address his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI and seizure disorder are related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a TBI or PTSD incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is being remanded.