Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and a need for an opinion regarding vertigo.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10% disability rating, effective April 19, 2007. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current vertigo and his service-connected hearing loss or anxiety. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to evaluate the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and Meniere's disease. The Veteran will be afforded medical examinations, and any relevant VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if Meniere's syndrome should be diagnosed based on his service-connected symptoms of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The claim will then be readjudicated with consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities should be rated under Diagnostic Code 6205 for Meniere's syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and consider new evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for labyrinthitis and vertigo are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right foot disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis of the left hand and left index finger, back disorder, hemorrhoids, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran wishes an in-person or videoconference hearing regarding his claim of service connection for vertigo, including as secondary to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, and Meniere's disease (vertigo) were all incurred during active service.,VA has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient supporting data in the November 2008 VA examination reports, and a need for further audiological and otology examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip disorder, right foot disorder, ear infection, vertigo, and hypertension. The rash was not found to be related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current vertigo, dizziness, and loss of balance were not incurred or aggravated as a result of any incident during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for nasal polyps and service connection for vertigo/dizziness and dry mouth was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for nasal polyps or service connection for vertigo/dizziness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and vertigo are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim of service connection for tinnitus will be deferred until the other two claims are finally adjudicated.

The Veteran's dizziness/vertigo is causally related to service, and the Board finds that there is a continuity of symptomatology such as to warrant entitlement to service connection. The Veteran's kidney stone is not found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his GERD. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is not found to have its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible evidence of an in-service personal assault. The other claims for service connection are denied as there is no current diagnosis or supporting evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, vertigo, and denied a higher initial evaluation for residuals of a right hand laceration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.