Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a dorsal spine disability, degenerative lumbar spine disorder, head injury/traumatic brain injury, memory loss, right ear and eye fluttering, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), cervical spine disability, left leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, pulmonary disability to include asbestosis, generalized arthritis, right leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct connection between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in October 2010 following a motorcycle accident are not eligible for payment or reimbursement by VA due to his having other insurance coverage.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current respiratory disorder or eye disability related to service. The Veteran's gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions are found to be secondary to his spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have caused occasional disorientation to two of the four aspects (person, time, place, situation) of orientation; they have not caused more severe symptoms under any pertinent facet of cognitive impairment. The criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent for TBI residuals were met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his TBI and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for TBI and lumbar spine disability, and a proposed reduction in the rating for prostate cancer. The case is being remanded to provide additional examinations and adjudication of these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's head injury with TBI did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's eye disorder claim has been reopened. The propriety of reducing the left knee disability rating from 20% to noncompensable (0%) is void ab initio.

The Board has granted service connection for a cognitive disorder and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but denied the Veteran's claim for additional dental treatment, including reimbursement of medical expenses. The decision is based on evidence that supports these findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires additional development and is therefore being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection. Increased ratings for her left shoulder strain, right hip strain, and migraine headaches were denied. Service connection for rapid weight gain and a heart murmur were also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic reaction of skin on the right hand, residuals of a head injury, scar on the middle of the forehead, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a single 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms warrant a rating of 10 percent, the highest under Diagnostic Code 8045. The Board finds that his TBI residuals do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, residuals of TBI, and hepatitis C as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, including morning reports from service that corroborate the Veteran's statements of frostbite treatment. The claim for residuals of frostbite left hand and right hand is being reconsidered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has found that the Veteran's reports of ringing in his ears since being exposed to loud noises during basic training are consistent with service. As such, a nexus to service is shown for tinnitus.