Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's left vestibular paresis was incurred as a result of an acoustic injury during active duty service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for Meniere's syndrome with defective hearing, finding that the current evaluation of 30 percent is appropriate based on his symptoms and audiometric results.

The veteran's unauthorized hospitalization was not for a service-connected condition or to treat an aggravating pre-existing condition. The Board found that the treatment was unrelated to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the veteran's Meniere's disease.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and also denied his claims for Eustachian tube dysfunction and labyrinthitis with vertigo.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the appellant's current conditions, including PTB, hypertension, and vertigo. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right vestibular nerve resection due to recurrent Meniere's disease is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and manifestations of undiagnosed illnesses, were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not submit well-grounded claims for these issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected post traumatic concussive syndrome manifested by persistent, recurrent headaches and positional vertigo, finding that a rating higher than 10 percent was not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and vertigo, as well as his requests for increased ratings for his hearing loss and left ear pain. The temporary total disability ratings based on hospitalizations in 1994 and 1995 were granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and vertigo are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 21, 1995 for a grant of service connection for Meniere's disease with endolymphatic hydrops, bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease and bilateral defective hearing in December 1986, finding that the conditions began after service. The veteran argues that new evidence should have been considered to grant earlier effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome effective June 4, 1996. The veteran was awarded a 30 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the claims of tinnitus, a condition manifested by dizziness and vertigo, and hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for hearing loss is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in 1983.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for Meniere's disease. The decision found that her current hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and her claim for Meniere's disease was not well-grounded.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition secondary to PTSD and assigned a 60% evaluation effective from July 11, 1991. The veteran's claim of TDIU was also granted with an effective date of July 11, 1991.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected vertigo and tinnitus, effective from September 20, 1994. The right hip fracture is also found to be secondary to the service-connected vertigo and tinnitus, warranting separate service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The veteran's service-connected endolymphatic hydrops of the right ear (also characterized as Meniere's syndrome) is manifested by severe symptomatology, including frequent and typical attacks, vertigo, deafness, and cerebellar gait. The Board has determined that a 100 percent evaluation is warranted under the revised rating criteria.