Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and TBI. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of frostbite, left kidney RCC, and carotid artery disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting both the right and left hands, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to extreme cold temperatures.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and chest pain was denied. The Board found new and material evidence for the TBI claim.,Sleep apnea, left elbow disability, left shoulder bursitis, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right pubic tendonitis, left ankle disability, right ankle sprain, left eye injury, stomach pain, kidney stones, service-connected cyst on the right side of the face, numbness in left hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome), leg pain (left and right), and uncontrollable twitching and pain were all remanded for further review.

The reduction of the disability rating for service-connected traumatic brain injury with mild cognitive disorder from 40 percent to 0 percent was not proper, so the 40 percent rating is restored effective April 1, 2015.

The Veteran's TBI rating is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, eye disability, obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and migraines due to outstanding medical questions. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a traumatic brain injury due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and nature of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, a neck condition, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his military service, the neck condition is presumed due to head trauma during service, and the TBI was caused by an incident in 1990.

The Veteran's TBI and back disability are granted, with the TBI being granted service connection on a direct basis. The Back Disability case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck, back, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. He was previously awarded a 30% rating for PTSD effective July 28, 2011.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a TBI, fractured teeth as secondary to seizure disorder, and increased rating for seizure disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current TBI is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his active duty service.