Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2015

The VA has determined that the Veteran does not have a current peripheral vestibular disability and finds no causal relationship between his service-connected bilateral perforation of the tympanic membrane and any diagnosed condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to provide the Veteran with suggested vestibular and cardiac testing, which could now be performed at the Temple VA Medical Center.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, along with other service-connected conditions, has not presented an exceptional or unusual disability picture that would render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards. Therefore, referral for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo as secondary to a service-connected disability, specifically PTSD. Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease was granted a 30 percent rating effective July 26, 2011. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's vertigo is manifested by intermittent episodes of dizziness and spinning sensations, but not staggering. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for vertigo have not been met.

The Veteran's vertigo is found to have originated during his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and records from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration due to the combined effect of multiple conditions, including service-connected vertigo and depression. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating on an extraschedular basis is pending, as well as her claim for service connection for depression secondary to her service-connected vertigo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's benign proximal positional vertigo is not service-connected, and her claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection. For vertigo, there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's vertigo and chest scar have been granted service connection, with a maximum initial rating of 30 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of removal of melanoma is denied as there is no competent evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is also no competent evidence showing that the Veteran had right ear infections during his first period of service, and thus service connection for status post right ear infections cannot be granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of peripheral vestibular disorder or nerve damage. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected headaches with vertigo, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo, also claimed as Meniere's disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the pension eligibility and service connection claims due to insufficient verification of service records. The appellant must provide additional information or evidence as requested.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic middle ear disease, cholesteatoma, and Meniere's disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic middle ear disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, asthma, and vertigo have been granted. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with asthma and his vertigo has been linked to his active duty service.