Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), right knee disability, and left knee disability must be remanded due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the VA examiner did not address two private opinions submitted in April and June 2014. The Board finds that a remand is required for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a lack of examination focusing solely on her service-connected disabilities. She needs an opportunity to be examined by a VA clinician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and there is no evidence of a chronic disease within one year of separation. The Veteran's current hearing loss is attributed to the natural progression of aging.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a head scar or TBI related to his military service.

The reduction of the rating for traumatic brain injury from 70 percent to 0 percent, effective April 1, 2015, was improper; a 70 percent rating for TBI is restored effective April 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's TBI and associated conditions have been rated at 10 percent, but he contends that his symptoms are more severe. The VA has remanded the case for new neuropsychological testing to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Veteran's TBI, headaches, left knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder are denied.,Service connection is granted for hypertension and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Service connection is denied for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, a left knee disorder, and a cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for shin splints, residuals of frostbite in the bilateral feet, and PTSD have all been denied as there is no current disability found to be related to service.,No examination was provided due to lack of evidence showing a present disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for accrued benefits, VA death pension benefits, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to withdrawal of claims by the appellant. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 30 percent evaluation for severe bilateral acquired flat feet is granted.,The claims for extraschedular ratings in excess of 30 percent for residuals of frostbite, left foot and right foot are denied.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's headaches began during active service and have continued since then. The issues of service connection for TBI and memory loss as secondary to TBI were dismissed due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI and left ankle disorder is granted. The applications for increased ratings of right shoulder rotator cuff tear and dislocation, lumbar spine strain, spinal stenosis and degeneration of the intervertebral disc are remanded. Effective date prior to August 28, 2013, claims for service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and dislocation and osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine strain, spinal stenosis and degeneration of the intervertebral disc are also remanded.

The Veteran's pes planus and frostbite residuals of the feet are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and traumatic brain injury due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, left foot fracture, and sleep apnea due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions regarding these conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, TBI, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including TBI, lower back strain, ventral hernia, and scars. The main reasons for remand include needing VA examiners' opinions on whether a TBI occurred in service and its residuals, as well as examining the severity of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it arose during active service. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,Issues related to TBI residuals and bilateral vision disability, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD are remanded.