Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed vertigo disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for vestibular neuritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his hearing loss disability, as it was consistent with the current assigned evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a conflicting medical appointment, and he has been requested for a travel board hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease was rated at a combined rating of 40 percent prior to May 14, 2015, based on the separate ratings for vestibular disorder (30%) and tinnitus (10%).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss and vertigo are related to VA surgeries in May 2000 and December 2000. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo and hemorrhoids, as well as considering whether there should be separate ratings for sphincter impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and he is granted service connection.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's vertigo to his military service. The claim for service connection for vertigo is denied.,The Veteran's throat disorder (allergic rhinitis) is not linked to his military service. Service connection for this condition is also denied.

The Veteran's dizziness and vertigo are not considered residuals of a TBI incurred in service, but his right hand essential tremors have been granted an initial disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service and whether they are caused by head trauma.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for vertigo or dizziness, and the Board finds that this issue is no longer part of the current appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo (claimed as dizziness) and a disorder manifested by cognitive deficits and memory loss have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer, cardiovascular disorders, bilateral hand and foot disabilities, and vertigo due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service or exposure to herbicides/radiation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder, to include vertigo. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran does not currently have a history of vertigo and less likely related to service. A new opinion is required regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that any vestibular disorder, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (even if it has since resolved), was incurred in or is otherwise related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn. The claim for residuals of right testicular cancer, status post radical right orchiectomy (claimed as loss of right testicle), has been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for service-connected coronary artery disease is denied.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for Meniere's disease prior to February 11, 2011. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected Meniere's disease is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome and assigned a grant of benefits. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for dizziness, and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 100 percent effective November 8, 2014. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with vertigo are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, effective January 30, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2009.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's vertigo is etiologically related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus granting service connection for vertigo.

The Veteran's service-connected vestibular disorder and positional vertigo are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating allowable under Diagnostic Code 6204. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the service-connected condition may be characterized or diagnosed as Meniere's syndrome, warranting a higher evaluation.