Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip, vertigo, and skin disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of all evidence received since the May 2005 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now rated at a 30 percent disability rating for Meniere's syndrome. The other issues were denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's vertigo is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, but rather due to vascular insufficiency.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and chronic recurring otitis media of the left ear with effusion were denied. A separate rating was not granted for a vestibular disorder associated with his service-connected chronic otitis media.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to obtain medical records and a VA examination, as well as to consider service connection on both direct and mercury exposure bases.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and determined that new evidence received since May 2006 is sufficient to reopen the claim. However, it was not able to establish a direct or secondary service connection for Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss have aggravated his Meniere's disease, warranting service connection for the symptoms of Meniere's disease as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected exercise-induced asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 11, 2008. The Board denied an increased rating for the period from November 1, 2004 to March 11, 2008.

The Veteran's lung disability and labyrnthitis were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The joint condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, vertigo, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and verification of combat exposure.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility on August 12 and 17, 2004 was denied as the services were not authorized in advance and there was no emergency situation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for hypertension, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for Meniere's disease, meningioma (claimed as headaches), or dizziness/vertigo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current vertigo is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear cholesteatoma with vertigo, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and chronic vertigo are related to his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues include service connection for dystonia, torticollis, and vertigo, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, angina, and angioedema. The claim for secondary service connection for Meniere's disease was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a skin rash, and fungus of the toes, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, were withdrawn. The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus and vertigo, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.