Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disorder, left ankle disorder, tinnitus, sinusitis, rhinitis, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include facial drooping and right eye disorder due to potential inadequacy of the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected TBI is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet is granted, and he receives a compensable rating (10%) for hypertension beginning July 6, 2011. The effective date for his earlier service connection for bilateral loss of use of lower extremities is set at August 22, 2011, based on his fall incident. He also receives an effective date of August 22, 2011, for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to the need for assistance with activities of daily living.,The Veteran's service connection for residuals of frostbite is granted as he provided credible testimony about experiencing cold injury symptoms during service. His hypertension is rated at 10% effective July 6, 2011, based on his history and current treatment needs. The earlier effective dates are granted due to the Veteran's fall incident in August 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,For low back degenerative arthritis, the Board found no evidence of chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to intercurrent causes and his post-service occupational history.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the preponderance of the evidence weighs in favor of finding that the Veteran does not have a level 3 or greater impairment in any facet of TBI, and his headaches are not attributable to his TBI.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI and its related residuals is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatica, right hip strain, and left hip and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TBI does not result in any residual symptoms that warrant a compensable rating. The Board found no evidence of residuals from the TBI, and instead attributed his cognitive and behavioral issues to his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance. The Board denied SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lymphoma is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board also remanded the issues of back injury, chronic eye disability, balance and equilibrium difficulties, and residuals of a concussion and TBI for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to revise or reverse the effective dates for service connection of his left and right foot frostbite residuals, associated neuropathies, and sleep apnea. The decisions were based on the date of receipt of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for traumatic brain injury and a higher disability rating for right knee, narrowing of medial joint space are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with memory loss, and a headache disorder are denied. The claim for increased rating of PTSD is also denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left foot hallux rigidus, hypertension, a left knee disability, residuals of an aneurysm and TBI, scars, degenerative joint disease of the right first metatarsal phalangeal joint status post total joint replacement with a metal prosthesis (claimed as right foot degenerative disease), and lumbar disc degeneration. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations.

Your service connection claims for frostbite on your cheeks and forehead have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any pending issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his current symptoms are related to his in-service head injury.