Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and bilateral tilted optic discs due to issues with the prior decision's discussion of combat veteran presumptions, and because the AOJ needs to consider a VA eye condition examination in adjudicating the claim of service connection for bilateral tilted optic discs.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss and vertigo claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of rating for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo, and TDIU. Additional development is needed to determine if type 2 diabetes was present during the appeal period, assess the current severity of inner ear disability, and consider whether it would be more beneficial to rate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities under Diagnostic Code 6204.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded. The effective date claim is granted, but the rating assigned remains under appeal.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of separated broken ribs has been denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 4, 2014 (the date of the Veteran's TDIU claim).,Osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective March 4, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease and vertigo/dizziness are remanded as further evaluation is needed.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and Meniere's disease are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the appropriate rating for his service-connected Meniere’s syndrome, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The current 30 percent rating will be reconsidered under the most beneficial diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a left leg disability are denied as there is no objective evidence of an in-service head injury or related disabilities, and the medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of median sternotomy, depression, left leg fracture, vertigo, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as new opinions regarding the etiology of her bruxism, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Service connection for Meniere’s disease is granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ear disability. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for tinnitus due to CUE in a previous rating decision is remanded.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus and Meniere's syndrome is being remanded due to the need for further review. The effective date cannot be earlier than February 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examination and development of records. The Veteran's vertigo or imbalance is being evaluated in relation to his bilateral hearing loss, and an extraschedular rating may be considered.

The Board has remanded the cases of vertigo and sinusitis due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain theories of service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for Meniere’s disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Meniere’s disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Graves' disease with exophthalmos, cataracts, and dry eyes (to include as secondary to service-connected tension headaches), presbyopia, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or any presumptive exposure.