Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus and TBI were denied as service connection was not established.,TDIU for PTSD was remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of any cognitive impairment related to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a TBI, to include headaches and problems with memory and concentration, is granted. Service connection for a vision disorder is denied. A rating in excess of 70 percent prior to August 30, 2012, and as of December 1, 2012, for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hand/wrist disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder rated at 70 percent and other conditions rated at 20 percent combined to 90 percent, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including corroboration of the Veteran's claimed stressors and examination for bilateral upper extremity frostbite.

The Veteran's service connection claims for frostbite residuals of the ears and feet, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to DM, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to DM, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to DM, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to DM have all been denied.,The Veteran did not provide evidence of current disabilities for any of the conditions he claimed were related to his service.

Service connection for dizziness or vertigo secondary to PTSD is granted. Service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to insufficient notification.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and sinusitis have been granted. The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his TBI and migraine headaches claims, as well as a TDIU claim. The temporary total rating for hospital treatment or observation due to service-connected TBI and migraine headaches is denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder, and the residuals of a TBI as there is no evidence supporting these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, and therefore, the claims are denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, hypertensive vascular disorder, skin disorders, and other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation of traumatic brain injury with behavioral disturbances. The decision also remanded the issues regarding left and right shoulder disabilities.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his TBI residuals as there is no evidence of total impairment in any facet, except for memory loss and occasional neurobehavioral effects.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a higher disability evaluation, but the decision is remanded due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection. The TBI-related concentration impairment is remanded due to inconsistencies in clinical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded other claims due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Shah, and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions regarding an addendum opinion from an orthopedic surgeon or similar physician specialist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no current diagnosis of TBI and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran incurred or aggravated a disability during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records, specifically from the Worcester Vet Center and Providence VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI is on appeal.