Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation, including Parkinson's Disease, TBI residuals, skin disability, hypertension, OSA, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and TDIU. The Veteran’s claims are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Parkinson's Disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran currently has residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The case will be returned for further examination and evaluation.

A rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for frostbite of the right foot, third toe is granted. The Veteran's other claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to active service. The Veteran's lay assertions have triggered VA's duty to provide an examination, but a full medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and their impact on his daily life. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved as it was not received within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and TBI was rated at 50 percent prior to July 16, 2018. Beginning on that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and/or residuals of head injury and right ear injury, finding insufficient evidence to support a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, TBI, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and neck disability have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals from bilateral frostbite of the hands, residuals of bilateral frostbite of the feet, and PTSD due to conflicting evidence regarding the validity of the claimed stressors. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hand and foot conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI and bilateral foot condition are being reviewed due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his PTSD and TBI symptomatology, including whether symptoms can be distinguished between the two disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims due to failure to comply with a prior remand order for obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran is entitled to further review of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and traumatic brain injury were reopened, and the claim for traumatic brain injury was granted. The claim for left shoulder disability is still pending as it requires additional evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and residuals of a TBI. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and bilateral knee disability due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and major depressive disorder have been dismissed as the May 2019 VA Form 10182 was not a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed prior to the issuance of rating decisions in August and October 2019.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis with arthoplasty for rotator cuff repair with arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis have been dismissed as the May 2019 VA Form 10182 was not a valid NOD filed prior to the issuance of rating decisions in August and October 2019.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disorder is denied. The Veteran's claim for headaches, as a residual of a traumatic brain injury, is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including throat cancer, dental disability for compensation purposes, and residuals of frostbite of both hands and feet. The appeal is limited to these specific issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for macular scarring. The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability, to include sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI residuals but has remanded the issue of service connection for a renal disorder due to unclear nature and unresolved treatment records.