Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a vestibular disorder, lung disability, and groin disorder as the evidence did not show current diagnoses or a causal relationship to active service.,Service connection was also denied for allergies due to lack of authorization for private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for headaches and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to unresolved issues. The case of service connection for Meniere's disease is still pending with an effective date issue.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for dizziness/vertigo and headaches, both related to a service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI), due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere’s disease are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Meniere's Disease is denied as it is not secondary to any service-connected condition.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is also denied, with the rating for this condition remaining at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo, a visual field defect, a cardiac disorder, and a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity due to insufficient evidence.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating already reflects the impact of his tinnitus.,An effective date prior to June 5, 2015, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is not warranted due to lack of a formal or informal written communication indicating intent to apply for this benefit prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 7, 2010 for the grant of service connection for BPV was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned due to lack of a formal or informal claim before December 7, 2010. For the entire appeal period, a 30 percent rating for BPV is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to vertigo has been reopened, and the Board is remanding it for a supplemental opinion regarding whether current vertigo is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted. The earlier effective date for hypertension remains denied. The Board has remanded the issues related to vertigo, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, brain damage (presumably due to hypertension), seizures, and memory loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's vertigo is not secondary to his service-connected idiopathic polyneuropathy, but a remand is needed for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion, and the Veteran's Meniere's disease is not related to service or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vestibular disorder, including vertigo and vertiginous episodes. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for depression, vertigo, and headaches have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is granted for PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor, but remands for further examination to determine if vertigo and hypertension are related to service or other factors.

The Board has vacated its May 16, 2018 decision and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claims for neck, vertigo, hypertension, and gastroparesis have been denied. The requests to reopen previously denied claims for left hip and left knee disabilities are remanded. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (deafness, dizziness, and tinnitus) meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to their combined evaluation of 60 percent. The Board found that these conditions prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.