Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his hearing acuity has not worsened to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, vertigo, TBI, and migraine and tension headaches as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the previous decision regarding service connection for vertigo/Meniere’s disease, including whether it is related to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has recharacterized the claim for service connection for vertigo as one for ear dysfunction manifested by vertigo.,Service connection cannot be established for CAD, sleep apnea, or PTSD due to lack of evidence showing a current disability and no medical nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including vertigo, Meniere's disease, vestibular dysfunction, and benign positional vertigo, as well as any secondary service connection to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and ankylosing spondylitis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for vertigo is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and perforation of the tympanic membrane of the left ear due to outstanding VA records not being provided. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be obtained and a VA examination is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for temporomandibular joint dysfunction with residuals, peripheral vestibular disorder, and Meniere's syndrome. The issues are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective November 8, 2013. The appeal regarding total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA and private treatment records. The issue of service connection for vertigo has been resolved as a full award was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo on a secondary basis to his service-connected hearing loss. The claim of depression is remanded as the Veteran did not undergo a VA examination and the AOJ must schedule one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 23, 2011. The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU is remanded due to the need for further examination. The claims are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for vertigo, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,New evidence has been submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for sinusitis has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for TBI, headaches, vertigo, pseudoseizures, sleep walking, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep hypopnea, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to medications for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus is currently rated as noncompensable prior to March 8, 2016, and 10% thereafter. The Veteran also claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, and falling, all secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus.,The Veteran's left fibula fracture, groin pain, and residuals of a head injury are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, vertigo/dizziness and Meniere's disease due to insufficient medical evidence. The claim for an increased rating for left shoulder strain is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, eczema, and dizziness/vertigo. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of ear disorder, vertigo/dizziness, and increased evaluation for TBI and right hand disabilities.