Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2016

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Board denied service connection for residuals of TBI and bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed vertigo, including whether it is clear and unmistakable that he had a history of recurrent dizziness prior to service. The examiner must address whether any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service or if the current condition is related to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's syndrome with vertigo is not etiologically related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for various conditions, including renal toxicity, vertigo, neurobehavioral effects, chronic athlete's foot, sleep apnea, and bilateral leg radiculopathy. The low back disability claim also requires further examination to assess its current level of severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of his claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and left ear hearing loss. He will be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent initial rating for Meniere's syndrome prior to December 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability, Meniere's disease, and exostosis of the ears were all denied. The Board found that no effective date earlier than July 23, 2008 is warranted for the grant of service connection for Meniere's disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability (claimed as asbestosis and silicosis) and Meniere's disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease with vertigo causes or aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's syndrome is related to active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic vertigo, effective June 23, 2011. The maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6204 is assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The claim of service connection for right pes planus has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, stress fracture of the lumbar spine and thoracic spine, photosensitivity, and vertigo have been granted. The claim for increased rating for a lumbar spine disability remains pending. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disability characterized by vertigo was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and reserve service treatment records. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board found that Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein nor is it proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's stomach disorders and BPPV are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.