Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and traumatic brain injury are directly related to his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including TBI, back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy, and neuropathy. The decision is pending further development of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cognitive issues are related to her head injury during service and granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of an October 2016 VA examination and a need for deck log research. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for right elbow disability was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,There is no evidence of a current disability manifested by muscle spasms or bilateral hip disability. The Veteran has not been shown to have these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of bilateral feet due to outstanding questions regarding diagnosis and etiology. The Veteran needs further medical findings and opinion based on full consideration of his documented medical history and assertions.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis, left shoulder, is granted as there is evidence of current disability and in-service injury. The Board finds the private physician's opinion sufficient to establish a nexus between service and current condition.,Service connection is granted for residuals of frostbite affecting all four extremities (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) due to exposure during cold weather training.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, and sleep disorder as the evidence did not show a nexus to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), and dyslipidemia. The Board finds that these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified).,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The issue is remanded for further development.,The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and thus denies the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, effectively precluded substantially gainful employment from October 16, 2001 to August 31, 2003. From September 1, 2003 to February 5, 2013, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge was not due to willful misconduct, and thus his period of service is honorable. The claims for service connection are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's TBI and its residuals, including migraine headaches, were granted service connection effective February 20, 2014. Diabetes mellitus type II was also granted as secondary to PTSD, with specific disabilities listed.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, prior to September 21, 2016. A rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for the period beginning September 21, 2016.,For his TBI residuals, a noncompensable rating was granted prior to August 5, 2013. A rating in excess of 10 percent is denied from that date forward.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for TBI, an increased rating for muscle tension and posttraumatic headaches, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records since the last decision. The RO must consider these new records in their review.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for epilepsy is granted, and the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury to include seizures is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for memory loss and headaches as residuals of a traumatic brain injury sustained in service, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his initial active duty training (ACDUTRA) military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.