Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral eye disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral sinusitis, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to the lack of new evidence.,Service connection was also denied for insomnia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Meniere’s disease and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's symptoms of dizziness have been noted in her service records, and she was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease by VA. The Board will obtain additional medical records and provide a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and his VR&E files, as these documents are relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia was noted at entrance to service and preexisted service. It is not considered aggravated by service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension that began during or within one year after his separation from service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuous symptomatology associated with the disability.,Service connection for dizziness (presumed to be related to a peripheral vestibular disorder) is denied as there is no in-service injury, event, or disease and no current diagnosis. The Veteran's dizziness has been presumed based on continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis that began during or within one year after his separation from service. There is no evidence of an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo and dizziness. The examiner did not adequately address the evidence of complaints of dizziness on the day of the injection and in the months afterwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for Meniere's Disease due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed vestibular disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an episode of acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's vertigo is granted as service connected due to exposure to ototoxic substances during service. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorders and ED are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation from February 22, 2010, until September 19, 2010. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) during these periods.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for Meniere’s disease with peripheral vestibular disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a vestibular disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to his in-service traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, macular degeneration, hypertension, aortic blood vessel aneurism, vertigo, COPD, and congestive heart failure, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The appeal is now moot.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder, arthritis of the back, headaches, cephalgia, arthritis of the knees, ankles, foot pain, leg pain, stomach condition, and residuals of stroke are not service-connected.,The Veteran's macular drusen, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts may be secondary to his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of right thumb fracture has been denied.,The Board also found that the Veteran’s vestibular dysfunction disorder is not related to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus remanded the issue for clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that there are no residuals of his TBI that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, acoustic neuroma tumor in the left internal auditory canal, and neck disability. The right foot disability claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of Meniere's disease, finding that the claim was received on August 14, 2007 and thus the current effective date is correct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to a lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased hearing loss and service connection for a vestibular disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's Meniere's Disease is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service, particularly his in-service exposure to hazardous noise and/or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.