Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military sexual trauma. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the case requires additional development and remands to the AOJ for further review of the evidence, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo (Meniere's disease) are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Meniere's syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for vertigo, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective date, higher initial ratings for trigeminal neuralgia, and increased ratings for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome, postoperative residuals, hypermotility of bilateral temporal mandibular joints, and bilateral hearing loss with vertigo.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a perforated eardrum with related vertigo is denied as the disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule and the assigned schedular rating is adequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, erectile dysfunction, and vertigo are all secondary to his service-connected disabilities (asthma and tachycardia). As such, these claims have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's military service. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as it requires additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran currently meets VA criteria for a diagnosis of Meniere's disease and if so, whether this condition is related to his military service or caused by his newly service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease, vertigo, and earaches are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The current rating of 30% for Meniere's syndrome remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, including the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right peroneal nerve palsy is not manifested by complete paralysis, and the current 30 percent rating for this condition remains appropriate.,Posttraumatic oculomotor dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,Chin scars are rated based on their severity but do not warrant an increased rating as they do not cause significant functional impairment or limitation of motion.,The excision of the left serratus for a muscle flap graft affecting the non-dominant extremity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,Degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in incapacitating episodes or severe ankylosis.,Since April 19, 2016, the Veteran's TBI has been manifested by level '3' impairment under the Table of Facets of Cognitive Impairment and Other Residuals of TBI Not Otherwise Classified based on motor activity. A separate compensable rating for a peripheral vestibular disorder as a residual of TBI is granted.,Posttraumatic headaches, status-post TBI do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 30 percent rating for his vertigo as of November 27, 2006. The issues of increased initial ratings for TBI-related disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims, including for service connection for Meniere's disease and an initial rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for dry eye syndrome and vertigo. This includes obtaining VA examinations, medical opinions, and relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of identification of an available VA medical facility for his service-connected bronchial asthma and other conditions. The case will be readjudicated based on this information.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for benign paroxysmal vertigo and his TDIU claim is also granted. His right ear otitis media with mastoidectomy remains at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and anxiety disorder, to include as secondary to vertigo, are denied.