Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for residuals of frostbite of both feet were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability and there was no indication that the cold injury during service caused any residual disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of frostbite of the right foot was denied. The evidence showed that the cold injury resolved prior to separation from service, and there is no indication that it caused any current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of frostbite of the left foot was denied. Similar to the right foot, the evidence did not show a current disability and there was no indication that the cold injury during service caused any residual disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was denied as he does not have a currently diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claims for eye disability (presumed refractive errors) and seizure disorder were denied. The evidence did not show a current disability or indicate that the conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluations due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for traumatic brain injury, respiratory disability (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Parkinsonism, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA is directed to obtain relevant records from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and any other private records identified by the Veteran.

The Veteran's growth of both 4th fingers and frostbite of the right hand have been remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Schizophrenia. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection, not a presumption or new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, left foot frostbite residuals (claimed as peripheral neuropathy), and right foot frostbite residuals (claimed as peripheral neuropathy).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Traumatic Brain Injury, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Hemorrhoids due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc bulge, bilateral knee trauma, frostbite of the left hand, and frostbite of the right hand due to a lack of imaging evidence.

The Veteran's OSA is granted, and his chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, and TBI or TBI residuals claims are denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder claim results in a grant of service connection with an initial disability rating of 50%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims except for the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for dry eye syndrome, lumbosacral strain with sciatica, and traumatic brain injury were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral ankle disorders, left hip disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's claims are based on assertions of in-service injuries but the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,There is no credible evidence linking current ankle or hip disorders to service, with the exception of the right ankle disorder which was noted post-service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding service connection for bronchial asthma, a rating over 40 percent for traumatic brain injury from December 7, 2012 onward, and an effective date prior to December 7, 2012 for TBI. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome due to service-connected seizure disorder is denied as there is no diagnosis of the condition.,Tardive dyskinesia is not considered secondary to service-connected seizure disorder, as it is a known side effect of psychiatric medication prescribed for his seizures.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran had a traumatic brain injury in service. The claim for this issue is denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are not found to be due to military sexual trauma or secondary to service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for residuals of TBI is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's migraines resulted in prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, qualifying for a disability rating of 30 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his headaches are not productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TBI are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, epilepsy, and TBI due to radiation exposure. The claims will be further developed with new examinations and verification of service-related exposures.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for frostbite of the hands was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for reopening service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, low back, and right hip disabilities.