Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed vestibular disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance or was permanently housebound. The TDIU issue is remanded for consideration of entitlement from May 11, 2016 to February 17, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, and vertigo. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements, in-service injury, and positive nexus opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to in-service noise exposure.,The Board also denied service connection for Meniere’s disease, noting conflicting statements about when the Veteran noticed her symptoms and finding her lay opinion on this issue unconvincing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claim for peripheral vestibular disorder and TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for positional vertigo, finding that it is not related to his active service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's perforation of the tympanic membrane in his left ear is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding prostate condition, vertigo, voiding dysfunction, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of etiology for vertigo due to lack of adequate opinion in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at a noncompensable level prior to October 31, 2019. Effective October 31, 2019, the Veteran is granted a 10% rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including medication, and for special monthly compensation based on a higher need for aid and attendance. The case is being returned to the VA for further examination and analysis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for vertigo (claimed as secondary to bilateral hearing loss).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and eye disorders, including blurred vision, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU prior to January 8, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right vestibular dysfunction as a residual of Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus (MSSA) infection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and Meniere’s disease, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The VA examiner determined that the current left ankle disability is less likely related to any period of service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere’s disease, concluding that it is not related to his military service due to lack of evidence and finding no nexus between the condition and exposure to burn pits during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have had their onset in service.,There is no evidence of a current gout disability or functional impairment due to gout.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, inner ear condition, vertigo, and intestinal condition due to lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a vestibular order with ataxia and vertigo is granted, as the evidence shows that his condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically the anthrax vaccine he received during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Meniere's disease was denied as the evidence did not show he had a cerebellar gait, which would be necessary for a higher 60% rating. The current 30% rating under DC 6205 is upheld.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of vertigo and cerebellar gait, finding that no formal or informal claims were received prior to January 20, 2015.