Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for frostbite residuals of the left foot, and will now adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's residuals of frostbite were rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2009, and at 30 percent from that date. The claim for higher ratings is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected traumatic brain injury, and denied his claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraines.

The Veteran's residuals of frostbite to both lower extremities are productive of pain, nail abnormalities, impaired sensation, and hyperhidrosis. The Board has determined that the criteria for higher initial evaluations have been met.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and residuals of traumatic brain injury have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of major or minor seizures, ulcers, tinnitus, headaches, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, colitis, or liver disorder that are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting his feet and hands, finding that there is no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but his claim for left hand Dupuytren's contracture is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran has residuals of frostbite of the hands, which is causally related to his service. The Veteran's claims for kidney stones and bladder disability are denied as there is no current evidence of a disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% disability rating, and his previously denied claim of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is reopened. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and TDIU are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and extent of his service-connected frostbite residuals, including any fungal infection of the toenails.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for frostbite of the right foot is denied. A 10% rating is assigned for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not indicate any residuals of a head injury or TBI. A VA examination in April 2009 and November 2010 did not find the Veteran to be suffering from such conditions, and there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral residuals of frostbite of the lower extremities are manifested as a result of his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed TBI residuals, as well as new VA examinations for his shell fragment wounds to the left scapula and scalp. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and frostbite of the right great toe. The Veteran's testimony does not provide new or material evidence as it restates contentions previously on file.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Impulse Control Disorder, a neurological condition due to traumatic brain injury, and residuals of pneumonia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The claims for cold injury residuals of the left and right hands have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board found that the service-connected frostbite of the feet did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death. The fatal bowel perforation was due to complications from aortic aneurysm repair, which is unrelated to the service-connected frostbite.