Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2018

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for undiagnosed symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and headaches as due to a qualifying chronic disability (undiagnosed illness) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a shell fragment wound to the right side of the head have been reopened. The claim for service connection for vertigo, vision disorder, and TBI remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for partial loss of the ring finger left hand and dizziness/vertigo have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's disability manifested by neuropathy of the lower extremities, balance deficits, and vertigo is related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether this condition qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board finds that the Veteran's progressive loss of balance is at least as likely as not due to service, including his perforated ear drum and concussion (TBI) and inner ear damage. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for residuals of head injury, and separately assigned ratings of 10 percent for headaches, 30 percent for peripheral vestibular disorder, and 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue, skin condition, joint pain, and dizziness are presumed to have been incurred during service in the Persian Gulf War due to undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred in service. The rating for PTSD with depressive disorder prior to April 2, 2014 is granted at 30 percent. The rating for TBI with central vertigo prior to April 2, 2014 is also granted at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 5, 2017.,Prior to September 5, 2017, the Veteran was not entitled to a compensable rating for her migraine headaches.

The Veteran's cardiovascular signs and symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), dermatitis, and vertigo have not been diagnosed. The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy is service-connected.,PTSD remains service-connected but the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's hearing loss evaluations and for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issues of service connection for hepatitis B, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, pseudo folliculitis barbae, and vertigo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid current diagnosis of a peripheral vestibular disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 60 percent since August 17, 2016. The cervical spine disability was initially granted a noncompensable rating prior to October 30, 2013, and then increased to 10 percent from that date until August 17, 2016, when it was raised to 20 percent. A temporary total evaluation is in effect following surgery for the cervical spine disability requiring at least one month of convalescence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder, to include vertigo and labrynthitis can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent is denied.,The Veteran's vertigo has been manifested by intermittent dizziness, nausea, and needing to rest; not by occasional staggering. The claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions (including anxiety and depression) will be remanded as new evidence suggests these conditions may have been incurred during service.