Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TBI, hypertension, tension headaches, PTSD, and hypopituitarism are not entitled to increased ratings as claimed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of TBI, post-concussive syndrome with headaches, and his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD as comorbid with the service-connected TBI. The Veteran's initial claim was filed on July 15, 2009, within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for frostbite of both feet and hands. The case is remanded to determine if these conditions are related to active service, including exposure to extreme cold while serving in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits to support gunsmith training has been denied as the evidence does not show that further independent training is necessary for him to obtain or maintain entry level employment in his chosen area.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, his claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% rating for traumatic brain injury with residual dementia and an award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law is September 25, 2012.

The Veteran's TBI and related ataxia symptoms are to be evaluated, with a focus on the relation of these symptoms to his service-connected condition. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to urinary incontinence and residuals of TBI. The remaining conditions are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for TBI with residual headaches and light sensitivity is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted in the March 2017 decision, but has not been implemented yet.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, chronic eye disorder, cervical spine DJD, and bilateral rotator cuff impingement with AC joint DJD have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted, but the claim for obstructive sleep apnea and hemorrhoids are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of service connection for traumatic brain injury, and entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (claimed as frostbite), spine disability, chronic myeloid leukemia, skin cancer, leukocytosis, and lung condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's skin conditions of the feet, including calluses and tinea pedis (Athlete's foot), were not shown to be related to service. His allergies did not manifest during service or are otherwise linked to service. The Board finds that these conditions are not subject to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of residuals from a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be processed again after the scheduled hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service TBI, and service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted.

The Veteran's TBI and related conditions have been evaluated, but the current evidence does not support a compensable rating for his TBI or service connection for dizziness as a residual of TBI. The claims for residuals from nose injury, left cheek injury, lip injury, and pelvic/hip injuries are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 5, 2011.