Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and tinnitus have been reopened. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for chest problems/blood clot in lungs. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 18, 2013. The rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dizziness disorder (claimed as vertigo) because there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's belief in a secondary relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and his dizziness was not supported by medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's Disease, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of left ear hearing loss and service connection for vertigo are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right ankle disability, chronic regional pain syndrome, right knee disability, muscle disorder and/or joint pain, vertigo, loss of balance, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, left foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The VA is directed to obtain relevant treatment records from various facilities and the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for memory loss and lack of concentration due to his withdrawal request. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety, are granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee condition, vertigo, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right hand condition (claimed as loss of grip and feeling), left hand condition (claimed as loss of grip and feeling), and vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and vertigo, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on his reports of ringing in his ears (tinnitus) and dizziness (vertigo) during military service.

The claims for service connection for scarring alopecia (claimed as hair loss) and PTSD have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits. The remaining issues, including sleep apnea, vestibular disorder other than vertigo, TBI, fibromyalgia, back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, eye disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder other than scarring alopecia, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for peripheral vestibular disorder and competency to handle VA compensation funds are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for Meniere’s disease and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of vertigo.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, Meniere's syndrome, tinnitus, sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and nail fungus on fingernails and toes due to failure to appear at VA examinations. A new VA examination is required in each case.

The Veteran's asbestosis is granted a 100% rating from December 5, 2017. The initial rating for vertigo remains at 60%. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective December 5, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left vestibular schwannoma and its relation to service, particularly exposure to herbicide agents. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected pain disorder with depression, right knee DJD, cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches with vertigo. The claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and PTSD have also been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, cataracts, and vertigo. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.