Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for uterine fibroids, status post myomectomy, with menorrhagia and dysfunctional uterine bleeding was granted. The claim for vertigo was denied. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992.,Post-surgical headaches are rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo is granted effective June 13, 2011.,Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011.,Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011.,An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.,The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 1993 rating decision on basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot osteoarthritis, as well as his claims for service connection for asthma, chronic lung problems, COPD, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The validity of the Veteran’s combined evaluation has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if vertigo had an onset in service or is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further review by the RO, including consideration of a May 2020 statement requesting that the TDIU issue be adjudicated as part and parcel of the claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis under the AMA system.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration. The first issue is related to the evaluation of Meniere's disease, while the second concerns an effective date for dependents' educational assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a vestibular disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are etiologically related to an in-service accident.

The Veteran's unspecified peripheral vestibular disorder with hearing impairment and tinnitus is rated as 100% from July 18, 2013. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate effective July 18, 2013.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for onychomycosis and tinea pedis, and denied his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, including arthritis in his neck, back, and knees. The main reasons are missing medical records and improper grouping of disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's vertigo is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence regarding his left eardrum hole, chronic ear infections, and vertigo.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and Meniere's syndrome are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and vertigo, have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 27, 2019. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, but the Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and provide opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his symptoms.