Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for new Gulf War General Medical examination. The Veteran's dizziness/vertigo may be related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, but further evidence is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's vertigo/dizziness is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability. The VA must obtain additional records and schedule a new examination.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from a July 1993 left total hip replacement (THR) due to lack of evidence showing negligence or informed consent, as the leg-length discrepancy was considered a normal and expected outcome of the procedure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, chronic vertigo with dizziness, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, require the aid and attendance of another person. The case is remanded for a medical opinion addendum to address this issue.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no rating decision was issued for the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss based on the symptoms of vertigo and social isolation is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo due to its secondary nature.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cardiovascular disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disability, neurological disability (vertigo), bilateral hip and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and a rating for multilevel spondylosis and mild spinal stenosis. The remand requires additional examinations and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb tendon/punji stick wound residual and remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 7, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent after that date, as well as compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to left thumb arthrodesis, left carpal tunnel release, hardware removal, interphalangeal fusion with internal fixation, and reexploration and fusion (in flexion) of the left interphalangeal joint.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and vertigo due to new evidence received since July 2012. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed again as they may be related to his active service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for emphysema, heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), memory loss, right shoulder and cervical spine disability, skin disability, and vertigo. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including sinusitis, PTSD, vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), sleep apnea, and problems breathing. The claims are not currently decided on the merits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent effective March 6, 2009.,Service connection for Meniere's disease secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on being housebound prior to August 18, 2015 is denied because he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as totally disabling or a TDIU rating based on one disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, neck, and low back disorders. Service connection is also granted for vertigo but the issues related to stomach ulcers, perforated bowel, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's BPPV resulted in dizziness and occasional falls/staggering, warranting a 30% disability rating prior to March 9, 2020.

The claim for a higher evaluation than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for readjudication of his increased rating claim for vertigo with eustachian tube dysfunction, considering a pending claim of service connection for Meniere’s disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.