Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic right hand disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss due to TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at 50 percent from July 26, 2016. The Board finds that remand is warranted for the rhinitis claim.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's headaches were not prostrating attacks and thus do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service.,Service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and no causal relationship to service has been established.,Left shoulder degenerative joint disease was also denied as there is no in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran's current condition does not appear related to service.,Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied due to lack of an in-service injury or disease, and the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service.,Radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is also denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, residuals of TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's symptoms were not found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids prior to January 9, 2015 was denied. From January 9, 2015, a 10 percent rating is granted. The PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use, and traumatic brain injury issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record after the SOC was issued. The Veteran and his representative did not waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, a skin condition due to an undiagnosed illness, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's service connection claims are inextricably intertwined with his initial compensable rating claim for TBI. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected TBI and whether loss of balance, dizziness/vertigo, or headaches are related to service.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected residuals of TBI was restored to 70%, but the issue of a higher rating remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI, including residuals, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia, bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins, and residuals of frostbite, feet. The reasons given were that the conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period, and there was no continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, TBI, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and sciatica, left lower extremity. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of recent evidence regarding the current effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employment capacity. The Board requests new examinations to determine how his PTSD, tinnitus, residuals of TBI, and left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome affect his ability to work.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran sustained a traumatic brain injury in service and whether he has residuals of that injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI residuals, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for tinnitus, and increased rating for forehead scar due to additional development needs.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including her right elbow condition, left knee condition, bilateral ankle conditions, TBI (head trauma), bilateral wrist ulnar neuritis, and migraines. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant private treatment records or other evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of colon cancer was denied. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI were also denied, as well as the appeal regarding TDIU.