Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbance due to nightmares, traumatic brain injury with memory loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The Board finds that the current disability requirement of direct service connection has been met, and the remaining question is whether such is related to an in-service event or illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left bottom foot condition, sleep apnea, TBI and an acquired psychiatric disability due to issues with character of discharge and outstanding service records. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, lumbar disc disease, scar, low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for TBI and the propriety of reducing the disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 30% are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-psychiatric residuals of a TBI, finding that there are no current disabilities related to this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are granted service connection. The dry skin condition including xerosis of the right hand and foot and eczema is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2015. The rating is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD with alcohol dependence and TBI does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

Service connection is granted for migraine headaches. Service connection is remanded for traumatic brain injury.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI, left arm and hand numbness, memory loss, and aphasia. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hand tremors.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the left foot and right foot, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between current neuropathy and in-service frostbite.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have worsened since his last VA examination, and he should be evaluated to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to July 30, 2012 for the grant of service connection for TBI is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was based on a new theory of entitlement and there is no evidence he sought service connection for TBI prior to July 30, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, frost bite to the left foot, and frostbite to the right foot. The appellant is also advised that VA medical records from prior to October 17, 2006 are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder), right shoulder strain, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for service connection for a rash remains pending as new evidence was received but does not establish the current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial ratings on several conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding diplopia and right side second rib fracture, while granting service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted as the medical opinions support his claim that he has a current disability resulting from an in-service TBI.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury, including TBI, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further examination and development.