Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2010

The Board has ordered the VA to search for additional service treatment records and determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of Meniere's disease, including as due to mustard gas exposure. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for vertigo due to new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of vertigo was caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. The cervical spine disability was granted a higher rating after April 26, 2006, while other conditions like gastritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo/dizziness (claimed as dizziness) were not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be reconsidered based on all additional information obtained.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, as they do not meet the statutory and regulatory requirements for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were not substantiated and have been denied. The decision does not provide a specific evaluation or effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further review.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo as being proximately due to or caused by the Veteran's service-connected atrial fibrillation.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss are related to service exposure, specifically acoustic trauma during active duty. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome has been productive of hearing impairment, including tinnitus, with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly. The Board finds that the severity of the Veteran's disorder approximates the criteria for a rating of 100 percent as opposed to 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a review of his claims file by the VA examiner who conducted an ear disease examination in January 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability. Service connection for vertigo, claimed as secondary to his hearing loss, was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's syndrome has been manifested by consistent complaints of attacks of vertigo and severely altered gait between two and four times per month, warranting a 60 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or inner ear disorder with vertigo and disequilibrium, due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The weight of the evidence demonstrates these conditions are not related to any event or injury during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and chronic vertigo did not have their origin during his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of vestibular neuronitis is attributable to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be rescheduled for another hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the issues of entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates were also addressed. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus, and denied other claims.