Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to his request. The main issues are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury, including scars over the right eye, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury incurred in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted service connection for residuals of cold injury / frostbite of the fingertips of all digits, finding that these symptoms are related to his military service.,The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral foot and nail fungus, with the condition being diagnosed as tinea pedis.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), alcoholism, and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no current hearing loss disability and the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The Veteran's TBI is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for a TBI on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if he sustained a traumatic brain injury during service and whether it has any residuals. The increased rating claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for his hearing loss and an opportunity to perfect his disagreement on service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed as part of the merits review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands and feet has been reopened, and he is now service-connected. His claim for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, fatigue, respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder, mood disorder), coronary artery disease, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability have been denied. The decision does not address the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fatigue.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinus polyps and TBI due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Statement of the Case on issues related to service connection and reopening claims.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated as 10 percent disabling, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The appellant has withdrawn his appeal regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for traumatic brain injury, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches (claimed as migraine headaches), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his military service or a nexus between them and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his SSA records.