Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,A bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and the weight of the probative evidence is against a finding that a current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling of hearings before a Decision Review Officer and a Travel Board. The Veteran's claims will be further considered based on this new information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, residuals of frostbite, and glaucoma. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is 60 percent, including a 50 percent rating for PTSD and 10 percent ratings for tinnitus, vertigo, and traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has post-service occupational experience as an electronics/fire alarm technician, driver, tour guide, and unpaid volunteer positions. His service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a grant of service connection for frostbite of the feet and bilateral shoulder disorder, as there are no chronic or progressive symptoms documented in the claims file. The April 2012 VA examination report did not provide an opinion on whether these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for addendum opinions from the November 2010 VA spinal disorders examiner. The claims for service connection for left heel disability, residuals of perforated left eardrum, TBI, whiplash trauma, and migraine headaches are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board sitting at the Roanoke RO. The Veteran must be provided an opportunity to present testimony during this hearing.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected dental disability for compensation purposes. For the low back and headaches, the Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet were incurred during active service, as evidenced by his reported history of cold exposure in Germany and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's skin disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective July 25, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervicogenic headaches and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each upper and lower extremity have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or etiology of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for traumatic brain injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the Oakland, California RO. The issues are related to an initial rating for traumatic brain injury and seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder and bilateral elbow disabilities due to overuse in service. The Veteran's congenital Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was aggravated by the physical demands of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification from the appellant regarding an autopsy and post-mortem examination of the Veteran. The VA physician's opinion on aggravation is also requested.

The Board has granted service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability is related to his service, specifically his cervical strain with degenerative disc disease. The TBI was incurred during deployment in Iraq due to exposure to IED explosions.