Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the appellant does not currently have any of the claimed disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for them based on exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The issue of a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and is currently pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that there was no evidence showing VA negligence caused or aggravated his left ear hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and elevated liver enzymes, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and gastrointestinal disorder were denied. The Board found that the current manifestations of PTSD do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, while the gastrointestinal disorder did not warrant an evaluation higher than 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral vestibular syndrome and there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service or any service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for peripheral vestibular syndrome is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for vertigo, but has remanded her claims for a gynecological condition resulting in a total hysterectomy and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to complete necessary development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including vestibular dysfunction, headaches, and major depression, were not incurred in service or related to any service-connected disability. The appeals for these issues have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for vertigo, and service connection for PTSD. The veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable under VA regulations. Service connection for vertigo and PTSD were also not granted due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for Môniére's syndrome with vertigo, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected otitis media.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's Môniére's disease and left ear tinnitus were not found to be related to service. Service connection for the inguinal hernia was granted, but an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and otitis media with tinnitus, vertigo, and cholesteatoma of the left ear were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the hearing loss disability or any increase in the current 30 percent evaluation for the otitis media.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 30, 2004 at Lakeside Memorial Hospital were denied because the treatment was not for a condition that placed his health in serious jeopardy and VA facilities were available.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have Meniere's syndrome or left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and vertigo (as a symptom of Meniere's syndrome) are rated at 40 percent, while his otitis externa is rated at 10 percent. The veteran also meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and posttraumatic head injury (claimed as headaches, vertigo, and depression) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service.