Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2007

The veteran is entitled to special mode transportation due to his service-connected disabilities and medical necessity.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence has been presented.

The veteran is granted reimbursement for the cost of private medical services incurred at Florida Hospital, Altam Springs on May 2, 2003 due to an emergent condition related to his service-connected Meniere's disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hypertension, depression, and arthritis of the left shoulder. Other claims remain pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for vertigo and PTSD will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of new evidence in support of the veteran's left ear hearing loss claim, and to review all claims together.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, effective from September 26, 2003. The other issues were not addressed as they are not currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, and therefore denied both claims. The veteran's current level of bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of tinnitus, vertigo, respiratory condition, right knee pain, and electrolyte imbalance at a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for positional vertigo and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a clinical vestibular evaluation from the Omaha VAMC.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, depression, and PTSD. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear disorder with vertigo, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an inner ear disability or vertigo, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's disease, emphysema, and asthma. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her time in service or due to asbestos exposure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, fracture of the right wrist with secondary neuropathy, residuals of a fractured left mandible and maxilla with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and facial scars, do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The combined rating is 80 percent.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness and vertigo as secondary to service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a pre-service or service-related onset of these conditions.

The veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, and left ear injury due to an in-service automobile accident are denied as the injuries were caused by his own willful misconduct.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, severity and etiology of the veteran's ear-related disorders. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.