Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (labyrinthine vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss) result in a combined 40 percent rating. The evidence of record weighs against a finding that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's vertigo is related to service or any pre-existing conditions. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches, vertigo/dizziness, and tinnitus have been rated based on their specific manifestations. The appeal for increased ratings is denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect his impairment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, back disability, and Peyronie's disease are not etiologically related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. However, the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation in service. Service connection is granted for cataracts as due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the appellant a hearing at a VA facility near his current residence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's Disease and bilateral hearing loss are also pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities, left lower extremity blood clots, and other service connection claims. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected vertigo, including any dizziness or staggering symptoms. The Veteran currently receives a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6204.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifesting as vertigo, including BPPV, which may be related to her PTSD or medications used to treat her service-connected disabilities.