Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic vestibular dysfunction, including Mônière's disease, finding no causal relationship to his military service.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Request the veteran to report the entire period since his retirement from service during which he has received VA medical treatment and the location of that treatment, and also any other medical treatment he has received since military retirement for any of the conditions for which he seeks service connection. (2) Schedule the veteran for VA examination to document his current hearing acuity and for the examiner to provide an opinion of the time of onset of hearing impairment and whether it is less than, equal to, or greater than 50 percent probable that current hearing impairment results from acoustic trauma in service or any other incident of service. (3) If and only if additional medical records are obtained, consider whether the veteran is entitled to additional VA examinations as provided in 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(4), and schedule any indicated examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Meniere's disease with endolymphatic hydrops, bilateral defective hearing, and tinnitus. The appeal is based on new evidence submitted after a final decision denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals, status post epidural anesthetic (claimed as a neuro vestibular disturbance secondary to spinal tap), and granted service connection for interstitial cystitis with a 20% evaluation effective July 10, 2001. The veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 10%, and her bacterial vaginitis was rated at 10%. The Board denied the remaining claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to her military service, including any period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The claim for vertigo or a disability manifested by dizziness is addressed in the REMAND portion and is referred back to the RO.

The veteran's Meniere's syndrome has been manifested by severe, bilateral peripheral vestibular paresis with progressive instability, constant imbalance, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus since the inception of the appeal. The Board grants a 100 percent rating for Meneire's syndrome effective March 16, 2000.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected residuals of otosclerosis with vestibular disequilibrium, as there is no objective evidence supporting a finding of dizziness or staggering.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo, and sinus disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for post-operative residuals of right knee injury with laxity, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic ear disorder manifested by vertigo and dizziness, finding that there was no current diagnosis of such condition and noting that any such condition began many years after service. The Board also found that the veteran did not have evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Meniere's syndrome does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment or cerebellar gait.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sea motion sickness, Môniére's disease, or peripheral vestibular disorder. The Board also found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left bundle branch block, defective vision, tinnitus, vertigo, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated in active military service and denied his claims.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a concussion, including vertigo and headaches, were incurred in service during combat. Service connection was granted.