Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for vertigo as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, specifically addressing the issue of aggravation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the bilateral thumb disability claim and denied the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a bilateral knee injury, vertigo with cerebellar gait (secondary to tinnitus), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claims on appeal, including for service connection of erectile dysfunction and hypertension secondary to PTSD with mood disorder, effective date and initial rating for Meniere's syndrome, and initial ratings for migraines and tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness and/or vertigo, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence to support the Veteran's claim of Meniere's disease or right inguinal hernia, and denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to address whether the Veteran's vertigo is caused by or related to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus, as well as any aggravation of his disability beyond its natural progression.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease and assigned a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's vertigo with right ear hearing loss (now diagnosed as Meniere's disease). The case is now remanded to determine whether a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board finds that an additional VA examination and medical opinion are needed regarding the etiology of Meniere's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including conjunctivitis, right ankle disability, left foot/ankle disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, Meniere's disease, hypertension, bilateral hand disability, and generalized arthritis. The appeal was also denied regarding a claim for increased ratings for certain disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for vertigo as a residual of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) incurred in-service, and for an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD. Service connection was denied for hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's vertigo is linked to his in-service TBI, while his PTSD is related to combat stressors.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus his claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo and low back disability are not related to service, either directly or through a secondary condition. The claims for both conditions have been denied.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 30 percent rating for Meniere's disease from March 31, 1999 to April 25, 2014. He also has separate ratings for tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (10%), and vertigo (30%). The appeal seeks higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for COPD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and vertigo. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records, reviewing deck logs from the USS Guam, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new claims raised by the Veteran. The TDIU claim will be addressed in conjunction with these new claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of right elbow, left elbow, and left foot plantar fasciitis.,A left knee disorder is related to a service-connected disability.