Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite residuals and reopening his claim for impotence caused by incorrect prescriptions are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for frostbite, both hands. The new evidence presented relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the merits of the claim - his complaints of hand pain post-service. Service connection was not granted as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability due to frostbite sustained in service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and traumatic arthropathy with excoriation of the left great toe, but denied service connection for sinus disorder, bronchitis, and TBI.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's post concussive headaches, status post traumatic brain injury due to possible increase in severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as there is no explicit opinion on whether the service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted as the evidence shows an in-service injury, current disability, and a nexus between the two.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed residuals of frostbite or cold injury of the hands and feet were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for TBI, epilepsy, and residuals of a rib fracture are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a TBI examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional records. The appellant's claims for service connection for TBI and headaches are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a foot examination to determine if the Veteran's current foot disorder is related to his period of active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service does not meet the basic criteria for eligibility to nonservice-connected pension benefits as he did not serve during a period of war. The claims of service connection for TBI, nerve damage, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, facial acne, and respiratory disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Aspirus Wausau Hospital from March 12, 2008 to March 25, 2008 were reimbursed as the treatment was necessary due to a continued medical emergency.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, Alzheimer's dementia, sleep apnea, TBI, heart murmur, GERD, gastritis, and type one chiari. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board found that the reduction in rating for residuals of TBI from 80% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's left wrist fracture and right knee disorder were each rated appropriately, with a separate rating granted for arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury to include depression, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches and memory loss, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, skin cancer, and frostbite residuals are not related to his military service.