Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for skin cancer, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, vertigo, dementia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for right ear hearing loss has been granted with a 0% rating effective November 5, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, asthma, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension), headaches, vertigo, and temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.,The Veteran’s hypertension is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her hypertension is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's asthma is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had breathing problems during service that could have led to her current condition.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her depression is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had sugar in her urine during service or if her condition is aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension) are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding their onset and relationship to her hypertension.,The Veteran's headaches and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether they are related to her cervical spine disability. The examiner must also determine if her conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s temporary total rating is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding her need for convalescence following surgery.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine condition, low back disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and eligibility for specially adapted housing are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo (also claimed as inner ear damage or peripheral vestibular disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset, continuity of symptomatology, or a link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and dizziness, sleep apnea, heart conditions, cervicogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's military service in his records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of equilibrium (also claimed as Meniere’s disease) and remanded both the service connection and rating issues due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PVD, ED, and IBS as secondary to PTSD need further examination and analysis. The case is being remanded to allow for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's spouse's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is dismissed because she has no standing to bring the claim after the Veteran passed away.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing a need for regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection for endolymphatic hydrops (vertigo) with tinnitus and sensorineural deafness of the left ear, which was denied in a March 10, 1995 rating decision. The Board has determined that this matter must be returned to the AOJ for initial consideration under all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeals of his denial of entitlement to service connection for Meniere’s disease and entitlement to an increased evaluation for tinnitus are dismissed. The Veteran's appeal of his entitlement to service connection for cluster and migraine headaches, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to tinnitus, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service head trauma. The decision is based on a balance of evidence favoring the Veteran.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as service connected. The stomach condition, vertigo, and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to insufficient evidence in the record. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's treatment at Charleston Naval Base and private emergency room visits. New VA examinations are also required.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder is being granted compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA failure to properly diagnose and treat his initial injury.,Compensation for hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence that VA treatment caused any additional disability.

The Veteran's vertigo condition is proximately due to service.,The Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were granted a 100% disability rating, effective December 29, 2015. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of Meniere's disease was dismissed.

The Veteran's acquired psychological disability, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, was granted service connection. The right toe disability and left hand finger disabilities were denied as not related to military service.,Service connection for vertigo was denied due to lack of a VA examination.