Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and TBI are related to service, but the exact nature of the relationship needs further clarification. The Veteran's tinnitus is also related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of service connection for TBI is granted, and the case is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee are not service-connected. However, frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet have been granted as a result of new evidence submitted after reopening the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, finding no evidence of such disability during or after service and noting that his reported incidents were not supported by objective medical records. The appeal was dismissed as it did not involve service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, TBI, cervical spine disability to include arthritis, and right knee disability due to new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a respiratory disability have been granted. The claim for residuals of bilateral foot frostbite injuries or cold exposure is still pending.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and mental manifestations of Parkinson's disease is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of onset in service or causation to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches and epistaxis. The conditions are deemed to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development of the Vocational Rehabilitation file.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his TBI with mild memory loss, blurry vision and headaches is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and Vet Center treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, chronic sinusitis, and low back disorder. Service connection was also denied for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and disability rating for vertigo and traumatic brain injury with tension headaches has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that there may be outstanding medical records from Fort Dix that could substantiate his claims.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder, as evidenced by recent medical literature. Further development is needed to determine if this relationship exists.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health conditions related to service. The Board finds a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are likely related to his military service, as evidenced by documented symptoms during service. VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a history of acne on his face while in service. A VA examination is needed to assess whether his current pseudofolliculitis barbae condition may be related to his military service.,

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite with plantar fasciitis of the left foot is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected frostbite with plantar fasciitis of the right foot is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,From January 13, 2020, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection and aggravation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Veteran Center and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TBI, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical records linking the disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's facial discoloration due to a burn injury during service is granted as service connection. The lumbar spine, left knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to TBI and the Veteran did not sustain a TBI during service. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of TBI is denied.