Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and Meniere's syndrome. These issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and/or opinion.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, back disability, neck disability, right foot disability, Meniere's disease, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD). The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of the decision. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or in-service incurrence for diabetes mellitus, back disability, neck disability, right foot disability, Meniere's disease, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left ankle disability, Meniere's syndrome, and otitis media. The Veteran's pes planus and sinusitis are currently rated as they are not in excess of their current ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, service connection for twisted back, and right arm injury due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected Meniere’s disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as his education, training, and work history allow for employment despite his conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient reasons provided by the VA examiner regarding its onset in or relation to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has found that further development is necessary for the service connection claims related to lumbar spine disability, vertigo, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are believed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for vestibular disorder and a rating in excess of 90 percent for bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidentiary development being needed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but a separate 10 percent rating is granted for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.,The Veteran's left ankle strain remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee and foot disorders, heart disorder, eye injury residuals, Meniere’s Syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities, left shoulder injury, right wrist disorder, fractured ribs, ear disorder (excluding hearing loss), tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded for further action on a claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service connected sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere’s disease, is remanded due to the need for an adequate examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and several other musculoskeletal issues. The decision also includes remands for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, left lower extremity radiculopathy at 20 percent since January 31, 2019, and intermittent vertigo at 30 percent. The claims for increased ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, but denied for other conditions including brain tumor, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and hemithyroidectomy.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for Meniere's disease with labyrinthectomy and hearing loss of the left ear is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination, as her symptoms have worsened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Meniere's syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, urinary frequency, and nocturnal myoclonus as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, specifically hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and vertigo.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for inner ear disease or vestibular dysfunction manifested by vertigo is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will obtain a VA examination and provide an opinion on whether his condition is related to service, including exposure to noise.