Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current dumping syndrome with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes, seizure disorder, and TBI residuals (including memory loss) are related to his service-connected gastrointestinal surgeries. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected gastrointestinal surgeries.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a neurological disorder of the face to include the residuals of a TBI. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus, which has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which suggests a possible connection between his current cognitive deficits and service. The VA will need to obtain additional records and arrange for an examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's period of active service and his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of TBI is granted. The Board also grants a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, effective from January 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including heart attacks/stress, pinched nerve in back, right hip condition, traumatic brain injury, and others. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain his service personnel records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted, as the evidence supports that his post-concussive syndrome is related to his in-service TBI. The left fifth toe disability claim is also granted, with the examiner opining that it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the current condition had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination of his TBI residuals and an SOC regarding service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a foot disability, to include tinea pedis and frostbite, has been granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, right ankle musculoskeletal strain are currently rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury with organic affective disorder and cognitive disorder remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete, but VA examinations do not support the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective November 22, 2011, the date of receipt of his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity cold injuries. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities at that time was 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as his traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his PTSD diagnosed in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, right foot condition, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate initial examination and the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI were denied as the injuries did not occur during a period of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Board found that the injury to the Veteran occurred after he had left his period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.