Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for vertigo should be remanded due to new evidence added since the last decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue of service connection for vertigo was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted, with an effective date of January 13, 2011. The other claims have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and vertigo, finding that the conditions existed prior to service but were aggravated by service. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service head injuries leading to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo (claimed as dizziness), and a low back disability due to incomplete medical opinions and factual inaccuracies in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dry eye syndrome and bilateral pterygium prior to March 17, 2016 is granted. Service connection for vertigo, dizziness, and lack of balance is denied. Service connection for a low back disorder is denied. Service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and right knee disorder are also remanded.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's acoustic neuroma of the left ear with vertigo, finding that her symptoms align more closely with those described under DC 6205 (Meniere’s syndrome) than other codes. The Veteran experiences attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait from one to four times a month.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vestibular disability, including vertigo, lightheadedness, and dizziness, is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The VA medical opinion found that the Veteran’s symptoms are less likely due to or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include vertigo/dizziness/poor balance, which may be secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and/or residuals of cold injuries of the feet; and residuals of cold injury of the hands.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, vertigo/dizziness, bilateral knee conditions, and skin diseases have been granted. The claim for CFS was denied.

The claim of higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claims of service connection for back disability, neck disability, vertigo and dizziness, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and posttraumatic headaches, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service head injury during a personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his TBI is established, warranting SMC at the (t) rate. The Veteran would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care if not for the aid and attendance he receives.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, blepharitis, and vertigo due to insufficient medical opinions in the file. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current ocular diagnoses are related to service or caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the development sought as part of the February 2019 remand. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to lack of adequate examinations.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's Syndrome, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions on various conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability including Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6204 due to the lack of objective findings supporting the diagnosis of vestibular disequilibrium.,The Veteran’s essential tremor has increased in severity since his last VA examination, and he should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to determine its current severity.