Traumatic brain injury (TBI) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left and right foot frostbite residuals are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, with no extra-schedular consideration granted. The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is remanded due to missing VA treatment records from 2003 to 2006. The Board finds that these records are relevant and should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of recurrent tinnitus during active service and the current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for TBI with subjective speech impairment was denied as his residuals do not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under DC 8045.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Service connection was denied for vasomotor rhinitis, as there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TBI is found to be incurred during service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have not been rated appropriately, and a remand is ordered to obtain updated medical evidence and determine the current severity of these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to outdated examination reports. The cases are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board found that the Veteran's cognitive impairment, subjective symptoms, and emotional/behavioral dysfunction do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his loss of sense of smell was dismissed. His claim for a 10% initial evaluation for loss of taste associated with TBI is granted, and he is now assigned a 70% rating for residuals of TBI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran sustained a TBI in service and if his current headaches are related to that incident.

The Veteran's appeals for Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury were dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal in January 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected TBI with tension headaches and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, TBI, and headaches as secondary to TBI due to new evidence received. The Veteran's exposure during service is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his neurological disability of the lower extremities, dermatophytosis of the feet and keratotic lesions, and whether topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.

The Board has decided that an additional medical examination and opinion are needed to address the claim of service connection for TBI due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran has residuals of a TBI.

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite disabilities and scars are being remanded for further evaluation due to reports of worsening symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of traumatic brain injury as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back injury, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, TBI, and PTSD. The claims were not granted.