Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board, including those related to traumatic brain injury, PTSD, low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, scars of the scalp and face, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic headaches, and residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including neck, back, hips and legs, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to a disease or injury in service. The Veteran's neuropathic pain disorder, to include centralized pain syndrome secondary to traumatic brain injury residuals, has also not been linked to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various lower extremity conditions are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals associated with a traumatic brain injury due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically back and neck pain, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these disabilities and his in-service head injury or service-connected TBI.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the issues of a higher initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Grand Mal Seizures.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed traumatic brain injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite, left hand was granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a rating increase to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran is required to provide records of his 1969 left knee surgery and any related hospitalization, and VA must make efforts to obtain these records. A new VA examination of the Veteran's TBI residuals is also needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, and right hip disability are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, including headaches. The remaining issues concerning entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the filing of new claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, which may affect his TDIU rating. The AOJ will develop these issues before considering the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including service treatment records and a VA examination for the Veteran's TBI, IBS, and respiratory disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal of increased rating for seizure disorder and compensable rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims as no longer valid due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected residuals of frostbite.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and developing stressor verification information.