Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral ankle disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or frostbite of the toes during service or within one year of separation. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a cervical spine disorder, and vertigo. The TBI claim was also denied.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for a fractured mandible and TBI due to incomplete development of records, including military police reports and criminal investigation records. The Veteran's SSA records are also requested.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI with vertigo, nausea and headaches, COPD, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and left hand disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite on both hands and feet, finding that there was no evidence of a cold injury or frostbite during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury have been denied as there is no clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The Veteran's neurologic disorder was primarily diagnosed as small vessel disease of the head, which does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD and cognitive impairment due to traumatic brain injury has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent from November 20, 2007 through August 13, 2008 due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of cold injury residuals is related to his in-service exposure to cold weather conditions without proper protection, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI and related conditions are service-connected, with no effective date provided as the decision is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from private physicians and VA providers.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability were denied. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD, left knee retropatellar syndrome, and right ankle tendonitis were also addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet, including peripheral vascular disease and Raynaud's disease is being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The case will be further developed with a new examination.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a TBI and erectile dysfunction are granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The VA examination reports indicate moderate limitation of motion with dorsiflexion to 10 degrees and plantar flexion to 30 degrees.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during his active duty. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and likely etiology of any TBI disability found, as well as its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, primarily consisting of subjective symptoms such as headaches, are rated at 10 percent due to their mild and infrequent nature. The Board found the evidence insufficient to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of low back disability, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, and left upper extremity numbness. The initial evaluation for fracture of the right little finger was granted with a 10% rating. Service connection for TBI prior to October 23, 2008, and PTSD since that date were both granted with increased ratings. Finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted prior to December 20, 2010. Special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status (SMC/HB) was granted.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to September 14, 2012.