Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further development of his TBI residuals, including sleep apnea and sensory neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting information regarding his address and the need for a rescheduled hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for TBI, as well as increased ratings for shell fragment wounds of the right calf and left ankle are also on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantial gainful employment since April 10, 2007. The Board grants an effective date of April 10, 2007 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of TBI had its clinical onset due to head trauma sustained during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA in May 1986, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, and denied his claim for service connection for insomnia and costochronditis. The decision is based on evidence that supports a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing, and it is now requested again.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected headaches and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI is pending and not decided.,Service connection was granted for chronic kidney disease (CKD) effective January 16, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD disability rating remains at 70 percent.,PTSD with MDD disability ratings have been denied since February 26, 2014.,The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches effective May 28, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and traumatic brain injury residuals are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosed disability of the feet attributable to service, specifically frostbite. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury. The Veteran's scar of the right knee is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee), bilateral shin splints, and elbow osteoarthritis. The remaining claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TBI including headaches and seizures, and a disorder of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for service-connected residuals of a TBI was denied. The Board found that the manifestations of his cognitive impairment, such as memory loss and attention difficulties, were not clearly differentiated from those of his PTSD. As a result, he is currently rated at 10 percent for TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and for individual unemployability, which is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI and Hepatitis C are not related to service, while partial complex seizures have been denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder strain and found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to his in-service injury. The claim for an increased rating for traumatic brain injury remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or otherwise linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disability.,The Veteran does not have cold injury residuals to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD.,There is no evidence of stomach disorder in service or a current diagnosis of stomach disorder. The Veteran's IBS is not secondary to service-connected ankylostomiasis.,The Veteran's ankylostomiasis has been inactive and thus not resulting in any current manifestations of symptoms or impairment during the period of the appeal.