Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, right ankle, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of testicular cancer. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis or history of these conditions during his appeal period.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post right radical orchiectomy associated with residuals of testicular cancer was denied.

The Veteran's TBI with tension headaches is rated at a noncompensable level since October 22, 2014. The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, vertigo, TBI, and migraine and tension headaches as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination to assess his current symptoms and severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's foot disability, including residuals of frostbite and a musculoskeletal condition. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The effective dates for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite in both hands and feet, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his in-service cold exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and conflicting evidence in the record. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his PTSD severity, and an aid and attendance/housebound examination is also needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), IBS, and TDIU are all granted. The rating for IBS is increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the severity of the Veteran's traumatic brain injury and its impact on his cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. The VA examiner will be asked to provide specific opinions regarding whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is a manifestation of his service-connected traumatic brain injury and if his sensory neuropathies are related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TBI with cognitive and speech impairment, along with PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. Ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied. The claim for increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected TBI due to insufficient examination and treatment records. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new VA examination to accurately assess his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and right knee disorder, but granted the reopening of claims for these conditions. Service connection was not established for DM, hypertension, chloracne, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy, or plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for TBI should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for left foot Achilles tendonitis was denied. The claim for traumatic brain injury was reopened, but the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and effective date prior to December 18, 2013 for PTSD were denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent since December 18, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied effective October 31, 2013.,Effective dates prior to October 31, 2013, are not warranted for the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that an examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current upper extremity disabilities are related to service, specifically his reports of frostbite during training at Fort Irwin, California.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite residuals of both the left and right feet due to a lack of current disability, as there is no evidence of frostbite injury or residuals during service. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered competent medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a traumatic brain injury and right shoulder disability as a result of a fall sustained at the New Orleans VAMC on August 17, 2005 due to insufficient evidence of record. The issue of service connection for a left hip disability is remanded.