Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his right eye disability was withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for TBI residuals and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death, specifically liver failure and/or chronic cirrhosis.

The Veteran's TBI with cognitive disorder caused moderate impairment in memory, attention, concentration, and executive functions since April 8, 2009. A rating of 70 percent has been granted for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee, TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an inguinal hernia and granted it. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is also granted, but the issue of lower extremity residuals of a frostbite injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for traumatic brain injury and service connection for tinnitus were granted. The appeals to reopen his claims of bilateral hearing loss, left ear infection, left ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right eye disability are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, finding that the Veteran's reports are credible and consistent with his service. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder due to conflicting etiology reports.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for chronic hairy/B-cell leukemia secondary to herbicide exposure at Udorn RTAFB.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran sustained a cold injury during service, which could affect his claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for frostbite of fingers and cheeks, residuals of lightning electrocution, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that TDIU benefits are warranted.

The Veteran's TBI rating is restored to 10 percent, effective February 18, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for noise sensitivity, left and right ear hearing loss (secondary to TBI and sinusitis), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, frostbite of bilateral feet, and frostbite of bilateral hands due to outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran reported injuries during basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability. The Veteran's claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury is also remanded.,Additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss in both ears.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of her appeals for service connection for frostbite, posttraumatic stress disorder, and the cause of her death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic left ankle sprain, hearing loss in the left ear, and PTSD due to unclear evidence regarding TBI residuals and insufficient examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, residuals of TBI, and colon cancer as the evidence did not support a link to service.