Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Vertigo were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Sleep Apnea was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, tension headaches and migraines, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded to determine if these conditions are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Meniere's disease is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and headaches have been denied due to the lack of current diagnoses. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the appeal.,For his bilateral knee disability, the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish a clear and unmistakable pre-existing condition prior to service or an in-service aggravation. The VA examination was inadequate as it did not evaluate both knees.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo and assignment of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was denied. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his dementia or death.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease is rated at 100 percent prior to December 5, 2016 due to frequent attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted. A separate rating of 10 percent, but not higher, is granted for vertigo as a residual of the left ear stapedectomy.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, and vertigo are remanded due to incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records related to his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran’s vertigo is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and that the current rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss is appropriate.

The Board has denied service connection for vertigo and initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and headaches. The appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension claims have been dismissed.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim has been granted.,The following issues are remanded: service connection for a vision disability, vertigo, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding whether his vertigo is caused or aggravated by service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his morbid obesity, which may be secondary to his service-connected spine, ankle, and hip disabilities.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to vertigo, paresthesia/numbness and loss of strength in his right hand, and PTSD need further examination and opinion due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims for prostate condition, kidney stones, cysts on adrenal glands, vestibular dysfunction with vertigo, balance issues, and nausea, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and mood disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unspecified joint pain other than in the back, hips, knees, and feet is not shown to have been present during service or related to service.,The Veteran’s refractive error is not a disability for VA purposes. None of the remaining diagnosed left eye disorders were shown to have manifested during service or were related to service.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a TMJ condition and bruxism is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, vertigo, tinnitus, and iron deficiency anemia is denied.