Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and that hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides) is not shown by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his psychiatric disability, preclude him from substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for frostbite residuals of his bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted, with an effective date of June 26, 1952.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI residuals do not warrant a higher initial rating than 10 percent from October 23, 2008.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury or an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The remaining issues are still under consideration.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that he is seeking service connection for, including headaches and calcaneal spurs and pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the AOJ to consider additional medical evidence and issue a decision on his claims of increased evaluations for PTSD and TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, right shoulder strain, right ear hearing loss, and pain disorder with depression were received on March 4, 2011. The effective date assigned is March 4, 2011.,A claim for right shoulder strain was denied in January 2010 but the Veteran did not appeal this decision or submit new evidence within one year of the rating decision. A new claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was received on March 4, 2011 and granted with an effective date of March 4, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and pain disorder with depression were denied in January 2010. No new evidence was submitted within one year of the rating decision. A new claim for service connection for these disabilities was received on March 4, 2011 and granted with an effective date of March 4, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury were denied in January 2010 but the Veteran did not appeal this decision or submit new evidence within one year of the rating decision. A new claim for service connection was received on March 4, 2011 and granted with an effective date of March 4, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, migraine headaches, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are not earlier than February 14, 2011.,The Veteran was granted SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ with an effective date of February 14, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claims for frostbite residuals on both hands. The examiner will need to determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his time in service, including any exposure to frostbite or Agent Orange.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during service, and the Board finds that all three elements necessary for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on disabilities other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI resulted in significant social and occupational impairment prior to April 22, 2009.,Effective April 22, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD with TBI caused total social and occupational impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, seizure disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tension headaches was set at July 22, 2011.

The Veteran's TBI and bilateral visual disability claims are denied. His bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities are granted, but his knee disabilities remain not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his TBI residuals and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and denied all claims for service connection.