Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo, including dizziness and loss of balance. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service. Service connection was denied for left cochleovestibular dysfunction (claimed as vertigo) as secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of 13 issues, including service connection claims for various conditions and disability ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected vertigo. Effective dates and initial ratings for tinnitus associated with vertigo are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's Disease and special monthly compensation (SMC) on the basis of loss of use of both hands are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's Meniere’s Disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, vertigo, respiratory disability (sinusitis or allergic rhinitis), cardiovascular disability, skin rash, and memory loss is not granted as there is no current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo due to a perforated eardrum was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of vertigo.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral leg disorders, groin disorder, dizzy spells/vertigo/Meniere’s syndrome, and migraine headaches are all being reviewed.

Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection is denied for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service exposure. The claim for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) is remanded.

The Veteran's vertigo and hypogonadism were not found to be related to service or his service-connected conditions. The seizure disorder was granted as secondary to hepatitis C, while the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and insomnia) was also linked to the seizure disorder and hepatitis C.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and a higher rating for hepatitis C was not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, SMC/AA, and gout is dismissed as no adequate substantive appeal was filed.,The appeals of service connection for sleep apnea and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of craniotomy, including headaches, tinnitus, loss of left field of vision, loss of memory, right ear hearing loss and vertigo. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service craniotomy to remove a cyst that was aggravated by a preexisting condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete STRs. The Veteran's ear disease, including Meniere's disease and BPPV, will need further examination by an ENT specialist.

The Veteran's vertigo and Meniere’s disease are granted as secondary to service-connected hearing loss.,PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70% rating from May 19, 2016 to October 3, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's chronic headaches have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,His claim for a higher evaluation for tinnitus has been denied, with the highest possible rating already assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disability, a head injury due to vertigo, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The appeals were based on new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for Meniere’s disease (claimed as vertigo) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the condition and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.