Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder has been granted. His migraine headaches have also been increased to 50 percent prior to June 6, 2019 and his GERD has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for TBI, reopening of service connection claims for tinnitus and headaches, as well as service connection for various secondary conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

Service connection for vertigo has been granted.,The claims for service connection for right and left foot conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's chronic vertigo and chronic headaches are granted with a 30% rating, but no more. The case is remanded for further examination of the Veteran's chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, vestibular and dizziness condition (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), sleep apnea, and blurry vision are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Specifically, a new examination is required for each of these conditions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claims for Meniere’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease/Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), cirrhosis of the liver, a left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all remanded.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and stomach ulcers have been reopened, and the appeals are granted. The remaining issues remain in remand status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for vertigo, related to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for vertigo and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft. The right eye condition is being remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The claim for service connection for TBI and residuals of TBI, a balance condition, and blurred vision is denied. The claims for service connection for a balance condition and blurred vision are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches with hypotension and vertigo are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The appeal is remanded as the Veteran contends her condition warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for various conditions, including uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, onychomycosis (infected toe nails), actinic keratosis of the left wrist and nose, peripheral vestibular disorder, and PTSD. The claims are remanded for additional development.