Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, a respiratory condition, TBI residuals, and dental issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board is requesting additional records from the Veteran and VA treatment records after June 2018. They also require an addendum opinion on whether his OSA, respiratory condition, TBI, or dental condition were caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Board is seeking a supplemental examination to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing dental condition (trench mouth) was aggravated during military service and if his current dental issues are related to his OSA. They also need an opinion on whether his headaches in service may be residuals of TBI from combat.,VA treatment records dated after June 2018 must be obtained for all claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, ingrown toenails, heart condition, digestive disability (gastroenteritis), periodontal disease, liver condition, left lower extremity sciatica, major depressive disorder with insomnia and traumatic brain injury (TBI), DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, right hand DJD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, residual scars of the right eyebrow, and residual scars of the left upper and forearm. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder and TBI residuals have been denied due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.,For the PTSD claim, an updated VA examination is needed as the Veteran reported increased social anxiety and isolation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to May 24, 2013 due to his employment and income during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI and migraine headaches due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, inadequate statements of reasons or basis in prior decisions, and duty to assist errors. The claims are now pending before the AOJ for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for residuals of frostbite, but denied both left and right foot frostbite disabilities as service connection is not established.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for back, neck, TBI, and vertigo and Meniere's disease are remanded.

The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for parafalcine meningioma brain tumor and TBI.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches and tinnitus, but the claims for parafalcine meningioma brain tumor and TBI are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, heart condition (mild aortic insufficiency), frostbite in all fingers and toes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, viral gastroenteritis, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder.,The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and higher disability rating for his conditions were denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a back disability, right arm disability, radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and radiculopathy (left lower extremity).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration due to incomplete evaluations and unclear relationships between conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as he was able to maintain full-time employment in a substantially gainful occupation until August 14, 2018.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, characterized as peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is granted as secondary to his use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The Board finds that the weight of evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of TBI and lower back disability have been granted.,Service connection has also been denied for a bilateral feet disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension is denied as his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the appeal period.,No effective date was provided in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, respiratory condition, skin condition, back condition, bilateral knee and ankle conditions, and pes planus. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to procedural issues, including providing qualifications of VA examiners and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide his earnings history since 2016.