Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD has been dismissed. The issues of reopening claims for residuals of a back injury, neck injury, head injury, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, capsulitis of the right shoulder, vertigo, and multiple sclerosis have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lumbar radiculopathy, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo), and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's BPPV has been rated at 30 percent since December 22, 2015. The Board found that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met from October 12, 2011.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as there was insufficient evidence to determine if it was caused or aggravated by medications prescribed for service-connected PTSD and shell fragment wounds of the neck and jaw.

The Board has identified the Veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and tinnitus. The issues have been remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for new VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperthyroidism and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of laceration to the head, including cervical spine disability, vertigo, jaw disability and scarring; hypertension; right knee disability; erectile dysfunction (ED); and sleep disorder, including sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been reopened and granted. The claims for right shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, back disability, left foot spur, migraines, and left ear hearing loss have all been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia is reopened, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for upper and lower back pain is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus/flat feet is denied because it preexisted his entry into active service and the presumption of soundness applies.,Service connection for ED secondary to sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing worsening of the condition due to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (Athlete’s Foot) is denied because there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for vertigo is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria to be considered secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Meniere's disease or peripheral vestibulopathy, and his symptoms are not linked to service. The Board denies service connection for dizziness and vertigo.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed vestibular disorder, which is related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder labrum tear, left wrist ganglion cyst, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tension headaches have been denied.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions, but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating or a higher initial disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence collection. The Board will consider each condition individually, including tinnitus, sulfa drug allergy, low back disorder, vertigo, narcolepsy, headache disorder (secondary to TBI), acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to TBI), and IBS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private and VA treatment records from his primary care provider and conducting further examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, service connection for right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities, and service connection for a vestibular disorder.

The Board denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as well as service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to insufficient evidence linking his vertigo or dizziness directly to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI and related conditions were caused by VA medical treatment, specifically a fall during post-surgical care. The Board found that the proximate cause of the injury was due to negligence on the part of VA personnel.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and any other identified right ear condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and military service.,Neurogenic bladder was not caused or aggravated by service. The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is believed to be related to his history of cancer treatments.