Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Veteran does not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that were caused by his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened based on new evidence received since the prior final denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has any cold-related disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his service-connected headaches, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of frostbite or its residuals, blurry vision, recurrent heat stroke, drooling, whole body muscle pain and tightness, hyperglycemia, back disability, bronchitis, or vertigo. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran does not have any residuals of a TBI that can be related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations to determine if he has a current low back disability related to service and/or frostbite residuals of the feet. The claims will be reconsidered in light of this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and assigned an initial 10 percent disability rating, effective February 17, 2010. The effective date is based on the receipt of the original claim filed on December 13, 2004.

The Veteran's TBI with vertigo, migraine headaches associated with the condition, and bilateral tinnitus are now rated at 40 percent effective October 23, 2008.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, left thigh disorder, chest pain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder. However, service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's memory loss due to traumatic brain injury has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective throughout the appeal period. The claim for an earlier effective date for the headaches rating is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: one for PTSD with panic attacks prior to October 23, 2008 and another for PTSD with a cognitive disorder due to TBI since that date. The RO granted service connection but did not specify the rating criteria used.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his traumatic brain injury, back disability, and migraine headaches.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of cold injury residuals, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO to associate records from the South Texas Veteran's Health Care System for the period from June 23, 2006 through January 14, 2011 with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from March to December 2012. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are added.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to issues related to service connection and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for development due to missing medical records and an incomplete examination report. The Veteran is seeking service connection for frostbite residuals of his upper and lower extremities, but there are concerns about the reliability of the evidence provided.