Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2018

The Board granted an effective date of March 18, 2014 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected Meniere's disease. The calculation of SMC amount was also found proper.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a back disorder, vision impairment, and initial compensable evaluation for a scar on the anterior side of the trunk associated with prostate cancer. The appeal regarding whether a rating reduction for prostate cancer was proper is also dismissed. The appeal regarding an increased evaluation for headaches, residuals of TBI, and TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for entitlement to service connection for vertigo and headaches has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, sinusitis, unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses (claimed as stomach/abdomen gastritis), and GERD. The issues are being referred back to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it is caused by his service-connected Meniere's disease.

The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for fracture of the left zygomatic arch is being remanded due to insufficient opinion from the VA examiner regarding the severity and relationship of the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Meniere's syndrome and granted it. Service connection was denied for low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his rating for lumbosacral strain to 40 percent effective March 26, 2012. The Veteran was also granted separate ratings for bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and vertigo. His claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for vertigo are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hyperacusis with vertigo is being remanded due to the need for additional review and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo with dizziness and balance problems as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere’s disease was originally denied in June 1972, but the Board finds that the original denial never became final due to a mailing error. The effective date is set at March 30, 1972.

The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome has worsened since his last VA examination in December 2010, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim of service connection for a back disability must be readjudicated de novo considering additional service records received in April 1999. The left foot and vertigo claims are also remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, peripheral vestibular disorder, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, diabetes mellitus, and seizure disorder as they are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat foot, bilateral hearing loss disability, vertigo, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's vertigo is service connected, but the claim for a separate disability of dizziness or Meniere’s disease was denied as it overlapped with his existing peripheral vestibular disorder.,There is no evidence of a sleep disorder other than obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's nightmares are associated with his PTSD.