Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for head injury residuals, including scar residuals, headaches, and TBI residuals is granted.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of sleep apnea, vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, pes planus, bilateral leg varicose veins, or residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia and hemorrhoids since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Atlanta RO for scheduling a Board hearing. The initial compensable rating claim for headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from multi-lobular pneumonia due to MRSA, COPD and Raynaud's Syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's non-service connected condition of COPD was the primary cause of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervicogenic headaches and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The VA examiner found no objective signs of a TBI on an MRI, and there was insufficient evidence to support any residuals from the in-service fall.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service, and therefore, the Veteran's TBI residuals are presumed to have existed prior to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss did not occur during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment since January 30, 2007. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from January 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interdependence with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction, is not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence linking the myocardial infarction to any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of memory loss, headaches, and sleep disorder are not related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations or an in-service TBI. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current disability that is a residual of a cerebral concussion/TBI in service, and therefore, service connection for residuals of a cerebral concussion/TBI is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2008 for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative balance regarding whether the criteria for A&A were met as of April 11, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been present during the period of his claim and concluded that service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 29, 2013 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The compensable rating for the shrapnel wound to the head remains denied.,TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address her claims.

The Veteran's TBI, claimed as residuals of a head injury such as dizziness and nausea, was not incurred in active service.,A mood disorder was not incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left heel disability and cold injury residuals of the lower extremities were previously denied in June 1995 due to lack of medical evidence. The claims have now been reopened with new evidence showing current sinusitis.,New evidence has not been received that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection for a left heel disability and cold injury residuals of the lower extremities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, most recently diagnosed as Depressive Disorder, NOS, on a secondary basis to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a head injury or TBI were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injuries (frostbite) of the right foot and a left shoulder condition are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence showing that the Veteran has any current disability related to frostbite or a left shoulder injury during his period of service.