Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause functional limitations that prevent him from overcoming his employment handicap, and thus he is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been rated as 30 percent prior to June 20, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the hands and feet as a residual of frostbite was denied in June 1959. The effective date for this grant is December 29, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury with mixed tension headaches is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's brain damage is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that service connection for a traumatic brain injury and its residuals, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than the already service-connected mood disorder, is warranted based on new evidence received since the last final denial of the claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss meets the criteria for a service-connected disability.,Chronic back pain in service and post-service symptoms support service connection for low back degenerative joint disease.,There is no credible evidence of a traumatic brain injury related to service, nor any current diagnosis. Service connection is denied.,The Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current residuals from his 1963 frostbite and whether it aggravated or accelerated any subsequent disease changes caused by diabetes and/or vascular disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.,The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection and thus does not address any of his claims for service connection. The case must be remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no competent, credible and probative evidence of current bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral knees (claimed as knee disability) is denied as there is no competent, probative medical evidence of any residuals of frostbite or any knee disability.,The Veteran's request to reopen a previously disallowed claim for service connection for heart disorder (previously characterized as rheumatic heart disease and claimed as a heart murmur) has not been met with new and material evidence. The January 1960 denial remains final.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.,The Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than December 17, 2008 for service connection for PTSD lacks legal merit.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to an outstanding hearing request. The appeal will be decided on the merits after a new hearing date and location are provided.

The Veteran's TBI, stroke, and right-sided hemiparesis with spasticity are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for reopening of left shoulder, right knee, left knee, ankle, back, shin splints, and PTSD have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the appellant's claims of service connection for a joint condition and traumatic brain injury. The case will be remanded to obtain missing records, provide VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's service connection claim for TBI residuals, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a clear opinion regarding the relationship between his current symptoms and service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to scars on the head, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, melanoma and dental condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have any current frostbite residuals in his right hand, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability, lung disability, and traumatic brain injury residuals are related to his service. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision could be made.