Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was rated at 30 percent prior to March 11, 2010 and at 70 percent thereafter. The TBI with headache residuals were rated at 10 percent prior to September 18, 2013 and at 40 percent thereafter.,Both conditions have been denied for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disability, including traumatic brain injury, had its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's TBI with fatigue and insomnia has not resulted in a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia associated with brain trauma, but results only in purely subjective complaints. The Veteran is rated at 10 percent under the old criteria for TBI prior to October 23, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a Social and Industrial Survey. The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot residuals of frostbite will be considered in determining if they alone preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and obtaining additional evidence. The appellant's service character is being reviewed due to his AWOL during active duty.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the cause of death and assess whether service-related conditions contributed to the Veteran's death. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for TBI and other disabilities are also referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service-connected TBI, and therefore, he is denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for headaches remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at University of Washington Medical Center on August 23, 2008 is denied as the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and no other conditions for reimbursement under VA regulations were met.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI are characterized by impairment of less than 2 for all facets of cognitive impairment and other residuals, resulting in a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service personnel and treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his left ear hearing loss, and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI resulted from a post-service motor vehicle accident in May 2006, and there is no credible evidence linking his current TBI to service.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits has been granted. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, as well as the claims for PTSD, back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and traumatic brain injury have also been addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for Traumatic Epilepsy, but service connection was granted for Traumatic Brain Injury with a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The substantive appeal regarding the October 2006 denial was not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk and use a cane.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral pes planus, and residuals of TBI including headaches as the Veteran did not present credible evidence that these conditions began during his service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's current foot, ankle, and lower leg complaints are residuals of frostbite or exposure to cold weather while in service.