Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2017

The Veteran's vertigo warrants an initial rating of 10 percent prior to March 7, 2011, and a rating of 30 percent from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, stomach problems, vertigo (secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss), low back disability (secondary to bilateral pes planus), and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service or a direct relationship between service and the current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right ear hearing loss, cholesteatoma, and vertigo were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, neck disability, and headaches was denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected Meniere's syndrome with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for Meniere's syndrome effective November 8, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran was previously denied service connection in 2005 due to lack of evidence linking his current symptoms to his active duty service.

The Veteran's unemployability due to his diagnosed psychiatric disorders and vertigo since filing his claim for pension benefits in April 2010 is considered permanent and total, thus meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for VA pension benefits.

The Board found no evidence of a headache disorder, vertigo, or right knee disorder in service and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin disorder and Meniere's disease.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo and dizziness, including whether it is related to service or any other diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and vertigo with tinnitus have not met the schedular criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy, hydrocephalus, and posttraumatic vertigo due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether there are available VA treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection on appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating for occasional dizziness.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's vertigo and tinnitus are found to be secondary to his service-connected left ear chronic suppurative otitis media. The bilateral hearing loss is not considered due to or the result of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability manifested by dizziness, including vertigo and vertiginous headaches, is not related to her military service or her service-connected PTSD. Therefore, she is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) due to the Veteran not receiving the most recent SSOC, which did not afford him an appropriate period of time to respond.