Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating for residuals of frostbite of the left hand has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in October 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of frostbite to both his hands and feet, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disability, residuals of frostbite to the hands and feet, or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of frostbite to his hands and feet, which are related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no current disability of residuals of frostbite of the feet and denied service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral chronic deep vein thrombosis, arthritis of the left foot and right foot due to frostbite injury, as well as arthritis of the left ankle and right ankle due to frostbite injury. The evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, residuals of frostbite to the hands and feet, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, did not reopen the claim for frostbite of the ears due to lack of new and material evidence, but found that there is no current disability related to service or a service-connected condition for neuropathy and circulatory disorders of the lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for increased ratings for residuals of frostbite in both hands, finding that there was no evidence to support a separate rating for Raynaud's syndrome and that the symptoms were adequately addressed under the current diagnostic codes.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA social and industrial survey, neurological, and psychiatric examinations to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting both the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is a link between these conditions and the veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to reopening a claim and service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for frostbite of his hands and feet, as well as a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner with an opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's complaints regarding his feet.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a disability attributable to in-service frostbite injury of his feet and therefore denies service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands, which he claims occurred during active duty in Alaska. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss and frostbite of the right foot have been granted, with a maximum rating of 10% for hearing loss and 30% for frostbite of the right foot. The RO has also confirmed the effective date as July 24, 2006.