Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a TBI and a neck disorder, as well as an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is granted for tinea versicolor, periodontal disease, and some other conditions. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's claims for hypertension as a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examiner with updated information.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, hypertension, and traumatic brain injury are all found to be related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for these conditions.

The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and thus denied service connection for residuals of TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since April 12, 2016. Service connection for frostbite residuals of the left hand and bilateral feet has been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing and the need to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his service-connected residuals of TBI and service connection for stuttering.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands, feet, and ears have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at the highest possible evaluation (50%) since January 2013.,Prior to October 23, 2008, his dementia due to TBI was rated as 40% disabling. Since then, it has been rated as 40%. The Veteran's combined rating is now at 90%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran was seen for complaints of headaches following a head injury in service and has presented competent and credible evidence that those headaches have persisted since service.,It is as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Veteran's TBI and headaches are found to be related to his service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will be rescheduled for a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, skin disorder, and scar above the right eye were denied. The Board found that there was no objective evidence of right lower extremity radiculopathy or left lower extremity radiculopathy in the Veteran's records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headaches and TBI are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches, vertigo/dizziness, and tinnitus have been rated based on their specific manifestations. The appeal for increased ratings is denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect his impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dementia is causally related to service, specifically a high fever and heat stroke sustained during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to dementia is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for frostbite of the hands, finding no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed TBI is not related to service and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased ratings for PTSD and TBI before a decision was made.