Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo is service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including right ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, vertigo, and transient diplopia, as these disorders are not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for vertigo, effective December 6, 2004. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as the earliest date of entitlement is December 6, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims of service connection for Meniere's disease and PTSD, as well as her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and providing the veteran with information about corroborating evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have Meniere's disease and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if the veteran's disequilibrium, claimed as vertigo, is related to his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, his Meniere's disease claim was not addressed due to lack of evidence, and he did not have a lung disability or shoulder/knee disabilities related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral wrist and hip disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo with dizziness and nausea, and severe headaches. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or finding of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an adjustment disorder with depression and dysthymia, headaches, and a disability manifested by vertigo and dizziness. The appeals were reopened on new evidence, but service connection was not established.

The Board found that the veteran's vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere's disease are not related to service and are not due to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for varicose vein stripping is granted. The other claims are either denied or pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, vertigo, and a psychiatric disability (depression) are being remanded due to the lack of VA examination reports.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his hearing requests.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a depressive disorder or vertigo that is related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and chronic otitis media, right ear. The evidence submitted since the April 2001 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's vertigo to his service or service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of vertigo and/or dizziness with nausea during service or present, and denied the claim for service connection.