Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, right hand disability (Dupuytren's contractures), tinnitus, and skin disability due to the lack of evidence of a current disability or in-service disease/injury.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's residuals of TBI are rated at 40 percent, effective December 9, 2009. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for his TBI and granted an initial 70 percent rating for mild neurocognitive disorder from December 9, 2009.

The Veteran's low back arthritis is granted a 40 percent rating, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted a 10 percent rating prior to December 15, 2015, and Meniere’s disease is granted a 30 percent rating from May 16, 2017. SMC based on housebound status is granted for the period January 1, 2016 to March 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and the need for a more contemporaneous examination of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome is rated at 30 percent, but he asserts it should be higher.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for Meniere’s syndrome was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected migraines, sinusitis, and/or rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is dismissed due to pyramiding.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater and has a current diagnosis of IBS.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to lack of an appropriate diagnosis or clear etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including due to undiagnosed illness, is remanded as the cause of his symptoms has not been determined.,Service connection for chronic frontal sinusitis is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset and relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and peripheral vestibular vertigo have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking the conditions to service, with a focus on the lack of in-service exposure to chemicals that could cause these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from Redding Audiology Clinic and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Meniere's disease is related to his service-connected hearing loss or any in-service injury, such as being near a mortar attack that caused bleeding in his right ear. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous medical opinion and because the TDIU claim is dependent on the service connection status. A new VA opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dizziness and balance problems.

The Board has granted service connection for dementia, vertigo (lightheadedness/dizziness), migraines, and abdominal scar. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral bunionectomies, gout, hypothyroidism, heart disease, hypertension, left hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and lumbar spine disability are denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by vertigo and dizziness, as well as service connection for a psychiatric disability. The heart disability claim was remanded, and the skin disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and vertigo due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for Meniere's Syndrome due to inadequate examination and misstated period of service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, PTSD and dysthymic disorder; chronic sinusitis residual to maxillary nasal polyps; obstructive sleep apnea; migraine headaches; and vertigo were granted. The criteria for these conditions are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for BPPV, OSA, skin cancer, and GERD are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain addendum opinions as requested.

The Board has denied service connection for cataracts and remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current eye disorders are not related to his military service, while the cause of his current dizziness is different from what occurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo/Meniere's disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide information about all healthcare providers, including VA and non-VA, and a new examination must be conducted.