Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions

The Board denied all the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of frostbite, left hand do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as they do not demonstrate tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities such as osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to atrial fibrillation and pleural effusions, finding that these conditions were not present during service or for many years thereafter, and are not causally linked to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries of both hands and feet (claimed as frostbite), finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the lack of service medical records and the need to obtain alternative records. The appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite in both upper and lower extremities is pending.

The veteran's right ankle injury, frostbite of hands (paronychia to the fingernails), and frostbite of feet are all found to be related to his service. His PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The veteran's shell fragment wounds, multiple, superficial, do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold weather injury and frostbite in both feet and ears, but the effective dates are set at January 31, 2002.

The veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of frostbite affecting both hands. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others denied. The veteran was granted service connection for various conditions but had his hearing loss rating continued at noncompensable level.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his muscle spasm, left side of spine and residuals of frostbite of both lower extremities. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for each foot due to cold injury symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for residuals of frostbite, finding that new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not causally linked to his in-service frostbite, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite, including peripheral neuropathy, cold sensitization, arthritis, circulatory problems, fungal infection, and chronic night pain; a low back disorder; a left knee disorder; a left hip disorder; and a left hand disorder. The claim for skin cancer was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, anosmianosia and loss of taste, frostbite of the feet, and hypertension. The decision found that hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board found no evidence of a right foot injury or frostbite during service, and the veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disorder, sinus disability, and tingling of the arms and hands. The effective dates for service connection are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left lower extremity and awarded a 10 percent rating for varicose veins of the right lower extremity.

The Board finds that the veteran has current disabilities of residuals of frostbite in both upper and lower extremities, which were incurred during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between in-service exposure to cold weather and any claimed conditions.