Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss began during his military service due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for vertigo as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome is rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear disability manifested by disequilibrium, which is diagnosed as Meniere's disease. The issue of an increased rating for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's syndrome has been rated at 60 percent since December 29, 2006. The rating is based on the criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 6205 and reflects hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo occurring from one to four times a month.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing, and the need to provide him with information about accredited representatives.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher staged rating for benign positional vertigo have been withdrawn. The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's vertigo is not related to VA treatment and does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear fungus and vertigo are being remanded due to incomplete STRs, the need for additional VA examinations, and the need to obtain outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right leg disorder and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's bilateral ear disorders, including itchiness, vertigo, and otitis media, are not related to service.

The Veteran's BPPV was found to have its inception in service and continued since service, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues were not addressed due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with anxiety, vertigo, GERD, and hypertension. The decision also found that referral for extraschedular consideration of bilateral hearing loss was not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's dysequilibrium is not related to his active duty service or caused by his service-connected disabilities, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, with no new evidence provided that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI, migraines, dizziness, and photophobia are not service-connected as they did not occur during active duty or are not related to any incident of active service.