Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD and DJD of the cervical spine, as there is no evidence linking his current disability to his period of active duty. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to the need to obtain SSA records and associate VR&E records with the claims file. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the Veteran's functional impairment caused solely by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent, and his TBI-related conditions are rated appropriately based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cervical spine disorder, TMJ syndrome, or post-traumatic headaches (residuals of TBI) that are etiologically related to her active military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands, as there is no medical record documenting such an injury. The Veteran's current hand symptoms are attributed to his diabetes and other unrelated conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned for further action after the hearing.

The appellant's representative has withdrawn all claims on appeal due to the death of the Veteran, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's need for special monthly compensation based on Aid and Attendance/Housebound has been established, as he is in need of regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The spouse's need for aid and attendance allowance has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, heart disorder (secondary to PTSD), and an effective date earlier than December 17, 2008, for PTSD. The Board also declined to revise or reverse a January 21, 1960, VA rating decision on CUE.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back strain prior to July 10, 2013 was also denied. For a staged rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain from July 10, 2013, the Board found insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a TBI, including post-concussion syndrome, anxiety and depression, were incurred in or otherwise resulted from military service. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and searches for his service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and active service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and service treatment records. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder and frostbite residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and is unemployable as a result of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and its impact on his ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found new and material evidence for the claims of service connection for TBI, traumatic dizziness, memory loss, and balance problems. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a TBI in service and the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to her military service.