Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder, headaches, and vertigo. The claims of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer and bilateral foot disorder were previously denied but are now reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6205.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for nonservice-connected death pension and special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or by reason of being housebound due to insufficient evidence showing she is in need of such benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his claim of secondary service connection for a vestibular disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere’s disease need further investigation and evidence, hence remanding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, foot/toes numbness, wrist, knee, ankle, eye, vertigo, breathing difficulties, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there is a link between his PTSD and the development of these headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an updated opinion regarding service connection for SSCD.

The Veteran's right arm disability is not related to service, and his ear (Meniere’s syndrome) and psychiatric disabilities are not shown to be related to service.,Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated noncompensable prior to October 4, 2018, and at 20% thereafter. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Code 5201.,Service connection is denied for ear (Meniere’s syndrome) and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for vertigo, heart murmur disability, hypertension, anemia, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, ear condition including Meniere's disease and tinnitus due to potential worsening of symptoms and need for updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating for his hearing loss and granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a VA examination and to obtain an etiological opinion regarding her claimed vertigo, dizziness (claimed as residuals of motor vehicle accident, contusion on bridge of nose).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations. Additionally, the Veteran withdrew his appeal on issues of hypertension and myofascial pain syndrome.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed for the disabilities to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's lung condition, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and vertigo were not shown to be related to service.,Service connection for leukemia and dementia is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for VA beneficiary travel expenses were granted as he timely submitted his claims on the same day as his treatments, and the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's Disease and an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a right foot injury due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo as secondary to hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran must be provided a new VA examination to determine if his vertigo is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hyperacusis with vertigo is denied, but the case is remanded to consider an extraschedular evaluation.