Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TBI was found to have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's seizure disorder. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues may be granted and others not.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to Alzheimer's disease, which is not service-connected. The Board finds that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to accrued benefits as no claims were pending at the time of his death and there are no existing ratings or decisions in her favor.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10% prior to February 7, 2013.,PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 70% from January 29, 2009 to prior to February 22, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, migraines, and TBI. The claim for a bilateral foot condition will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, frostbite of the hands and feet, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted as there is at least equipoise evidence that his TBI had its clinical onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. His TBI and associated amnestic disorder were service connected, but his anxiety and depression diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, right leg/ankle condition, and cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability, and the case is dismissed. The issue of service connection for TBI was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his TBI, hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not experience a TBI event during service and does not have current residuals of a TBI. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with tinnitus, but it was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite residuals of the right and left feet are each rated at 30 percent, effective June 4, 2010.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals frostbite bilateral feet, and thus the claim must be denied.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury, including subjective complaints such as headaches, dizziness, and balance issues, are rated at a 10 percent level.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including traumatic brain injury residuals, headaches, right and left knee disabilities, and a micro corneal scar of the left eye. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his boxing experiences during active duty.