Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, GERD and gastritis with a 30 percent initial evaluation effective from April 24, 2006. The Veteran's claims for other issues remain pending.

The Board denied a higher rating for posttraumatic vertigo on an extraschedular basis and did not address the issue of an effective date prior to July 14, 2008, for TDIU.

Service connection for bilateral eye retinal detachment with retinal puckering status post laser repair was granted, and a compensable rating of 10% was assigned from November 13, 2006 to February 12, 2012. The Veteran is seeking an even higher initial rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's vertigo disability was not manifested in service and is less likely related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome, which includes hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's left wrist condition and skin condition are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and vertigo are found to be related to his service, specifically an explosion in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has met the criteria for service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and vertigo. However, further development is needed as VA examinations did not address the relationship between current symptoms (including dizziness) and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hyperlipidemia, ear disorder to include vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder to include a compulsive disorder and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a right knee disability or heart disability due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disabilities were found not to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for vertigo. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, residuals of head trauma, is granted.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss, heart disease, hypertension, vertigo, or lung disease manifested during active duty service or in the year after separation from active duty service; or is related to exposure to radiation during service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations and the provision of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The case is now pending and will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and the impact of those conditions on his employability. Additional development, including VA examinations, is required.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues of secondary service connection for urinary disability, colon disability, spinal disability, and partial paralysis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of examination addressing the claim in the context directed by the January 2014 Board remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding his employability and need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's vertigo manifests occasional dizziness, but not dizziness and occasional staggering. The Board finds that an initial 10 percent rating for vertigo is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for vertiginous migraines prior to March 4, 2013 has been withdrawn. The VA granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and assigned a 100% rating effective March 4, 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a peripheral vestibular disorder, finding that both conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and resulting hearing loss.