Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including a seizure disorder, and also denied the Veteran's request for SMC at a level higher than that payable under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k). The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding loss of use of both feet or significant disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and consideration. The RO will consider the new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's right shoulder, bilateral upper extremity nerve, and traumatic brain injury disabilities are granted service connection. The cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left leg disorder, diabetes mellitus, and whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, TBI, and a right-hand disorder due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury as there is no evidence of a current disability or that the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including considering his service treatment records and medical articles submitted by him.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of the right foot, and residuals of frostbite of the left foot are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for hemorrhoids is also remanded.

The Veteran's TBI is granted, and he receives a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.,PTSD is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent.,Erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable rating.,Bilateral testicular hydroceles are assigned a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of TBI is denied. The Veteran's right knee disability and PTSD are granted with specific ratings, but the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, as well as initial rating claims, are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral lower extremity neuropathies are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination at an accessible location. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for residuals of a right eye blow-out fracture was reopened but denied due to the Veteran missing an examination. Claims for gastrointestinal disability, bilateral flatfeet, deviated nasal septum (TBI), pseudo-folliculitis barbae, paralysis of cranial nerve V, and right infraorbital nerve numbness were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for residuals of TBI and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been manifested by symptoms including nasal congestion and headaches, but not polyps or at least 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides. He is seeking a compensable initial rating.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's traumatic brain injury began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran’s reports of a fall and head injury are not credible as they appear to be directly contradicted by the contemporaneous medical evidence.,The Board concludes that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.