Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his vestibular disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a low back condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The case is remanded for further evaluation on the issue of service connection for vertigo, which may be secondary to hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere’s disease with tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 100 percent evaluation effective from August 22, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from June 18, 2009 to prior to December 16, 2011 was denied. The Board also found that the issue of service connection for vertigo due to service-connected disabilities needs further development and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's disease with hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss with Meniere's syndrome, as well as his claims for Dependents' Educational Assistance and Special Monthly Compensation based on loss of use of hearing, have been granted effective from July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis and osteoporosis are granted service connection.,Service connection for secondary osteoporosis is also granted. The Board has remanded the remaining issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance. The Veteran's current disabilities include bilateral knee issues, seizure disorder, Meniere's syndrome, and a history of femur fractures in service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and vertigo due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a bilateral refractive eye error and vertigo due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's vertigo is related to in-service events during a period of dishonorable service, and therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury and/or concussion, as well as her claim for headaches (secondary to a head injury and/or concussion), due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia), sleep apnea, and vestibular disorder have been granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection is March 31, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected hearing loss. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and vertigo or dizziness remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical disability, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, vertigo, and lung/breathing disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient competent evidence of record.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease and related conditions were granted service connection, but the Board denied a higher evaluation as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is dismissed as the requested 70 percent rating has been granted.,Prior to September 20, 2010, the Veteran’s Meniere’s syndrome was rated at 30 percent. From that date forward, it is rated at 100 percent.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 30 percent prior to March 23, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter.,SMC at the housebound rate has been granted from September 20, 2010. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure to report for VA examinations and other procedural issues. The appellant's active duty included exposure to noise, fuel and oil, and in-service injuries that may have caused his current disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's benign paroxymal positional vertigo should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his service.