Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and psychiatric conditions, render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's symptoms (tinnitus, ear pain, headaches, dizziness, and vertigo) are related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for hearing loss and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and an initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for both conditions are met due to their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease with vertigo, a chronic disability caused by microscopic hematuria, and keloid scars. The Veteran did not have a chronic condition related to microscopic hematuria or any other claimed conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran's current keloid scars were not aggravated during his periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus became manifest to a degree of at least 10 percent within one year from the date of his separation from service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for Meniere's disease is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury incurred during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, sinus disorder, and headaches was denied as there is no current evidence of a vertigo disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a preexisting sinus or headache condition prior to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including vertigo and an acquired psychiatric disability. The issues on appeal are whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected ear disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 7, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is considered 'unknown' as the appeal does not specify this issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer (claimed as bleeding ulcers) and loss of balance from Meniere's syndrome are both granted. However, his claim for a left knee disability is not applicable as it was not raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected BPPV and LLE radiculopathy are granted, with the LLE radiculopathy rated at 10%.

The Veteran seeks service connection for vertigo, including BPPV. The RO denied this claim as there was no chronic disability shown by the service medical records or post-service evidence.

The Veteran's vertigo is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and vertigo are remanded due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria and left arm disorders, as there was no evidence of active malaria or a causal link to service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service or his service-connected PTSD disability, including medications for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss for VA purposes during the appeal period.