Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2011

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 40 percent or more (migraine headaches) and a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed Meniere's disease or other chronic disability manifested by vertigo.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, vertigo, and memory loss. His combined nonservice-connected disability rating for pension purposes is 90 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cerebral arteriovenous malformations with residual disabilities, including loss of memory, vertigo, neck pain, decreased motor skills, and decreased sense of smell is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding line of duty determinations and/or misconduct, including alcohol-related matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and Meniere's disease. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and Meniere's disease. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left-sided vestibular neuronitis is manifested by dizziness and staggering, which occur daily. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or Meniere's disease as these conditions did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for various conditions. The effective date of the temporary total disability rating for surgery necessitating convalescence is set at September 3, 2003.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the service connection claims for Meniere's disease and high blood pressure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and Meniere's disease have been granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The Veteran served near the airbase perimeter where he was exposed to herbicides, which is considered presumptive service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from multiple facilities and reviewing private medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's inner ear disorder, including vertigo and dizziness, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for vertigo remains pending as it was not addressed by the original decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for service connection for vertigo (claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus) is pending. The RO/AMC must issue a Statement of the Case regarding the latter issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, for accrued benefits purposes. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and hearing loss/vertigo are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased evaluations for Meniere's disease and a TDIU. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination of the Meniere's disease, as well as adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and vertigo, as well as to obtain all pertinent medical records. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further review after this development.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as they do not include a cerebellar gait.