Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for TBI and lumbar spine disability, and a proposed reduction in the rating for prostate cancer. The case is being remanded to provide additional examinations and adjudication of these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's head injury with TBI did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's eye disorder claim has been reopened. The propriety of reducing the left knee disability rating from 20% to noncompensable (0%) is void ab initio.

The Board has granted service connection for a cognitive disorder and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but denied the Veteran's claim for additional dental treatment, including reimbursement of medical expenses. The decision is based on evidence that supports these findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires additional development and is therefore being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection. Increased ratings for her left shoulder strain, right hip strain, and migraine headaches were denied. Service connection for rapid weight gain and a heart murmur were also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic reaction of skin on the right hand, residuals of a head injury, scar on the middle of the forehead, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a single 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms warrant a rating of 10 percent, the highest under Diagnostic Code 8045. The Board finds that his TBI residuals do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, residuals of TBI, and hepatitis C as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, including morning reports from service that corroborate the Veteran's statements of frostbite treatment. The claim for residuals of frostbite left hand and right hand is being reconsidered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has found that the Veteran's reports of ringing in his ears since being exposed to loud noises during basic training are consistent with service. As such, a nexus to service is shown for tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of TBI in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further consideration of his claims, including those related to service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, an increased rating for chronic gastritis, and other conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated neuropathy, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for prostate condition including prostatitis and prostate cancer. The Veteran is not shown to have any current disability involving frostbite of the right lower extremity. Service connection was granted for hypertension based on new evidence received after a previous denial. No effective date has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further examinations of his service-connected traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic headaches.

The Board found that right ear hearing loss was not evident during service or until many years thereafter and is not shown to have been caused by any in-service event. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, for substitution purposes, is denied.