Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is related to his service-connected perforation of the right tympanic membrane.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating for various disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being examined again due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examination in 2011. A new peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the inextricability of his acquired psychiatric disorder with other conditions. The VA will need to determine if these secondary conditions are related to his service-connected condition or another diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected, while his cervical spine and headaches disabilities are denied. The vertigo issue remains unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran’s cervical spine disability cannot be established due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 30 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The disability does not include hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere’s disease, headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and/or left wrists, and an increased rating for sleep apnea with asthma due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for metabolic syndrome has been dismissed. The issue of service connection for Meniere's syndrome or other disorder manifested by headaches, nausea, and dizziness is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for metabolic syndrome and Meniere's disease or other disorder manifested by headaches, nausea, and dizziness. The Veteran was already service-connected for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo due to outstanding VA treatment records not being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, peripheral vestibular disorder, and a headache disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was not addressed as it is not related to his service-connected hypertension. His claim for increased rating of hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if it preexisted service and was aggravated by service.,Bilateral hearing loss service connection is remanded as there are no audiometric standards used in the April 2015 VA examination, requiring conversion from ASA to ISO-ANSI standards.,Tinnitus secondary to PTSD or a service-connected disability is remanded due to its intertwining with the PTSD claim and need for a new VA examination.,Hypertension service connection is remanded as there are no audiometric readings provided in the April 2015 VA examination, requiring conversion from ASA to ISO-ANSI standards. Additionally, it needs a VA examination to determine if it is secondary to PTSD or medication for any service-connected condition.,Gastrointestinal and acid reflux conditions service connection are remanded as they are intertwined with the PTSD claim and need a new VA examination.,Vertigo service connection is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, trouble speaking, TBI, and headaches are remanded due to new evidence received after the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is at least as likely related to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck injury was also reopened due to new evidence indicating it is at least as likely related to his in-service fall.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's vertigo is related to his military service or any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of low back strain, vertigo, and chronic sinus disability are remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they may be related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo, including as secondary to service-connected dyssomnia, hearing loss and tinnitus, requires additional development due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10% for residuals of encephalopathy is denied. The Board found that the condition is inactive and does not warrant an increase.

The claim to reopen the service connection for bilateral vestibular hypofunction is granted. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the current condition is related to service.