Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional evidence has been added to the record and must be considered before a final decision can be made on the claims for service connection for various disabilities. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo to his service-connected tinnitus or any other in-service event. The Board also found that the symptoms did not manifest within one year following service and are not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has denied the remaining claims of service connection for a headache disorder, jaw disorder, neck disorder, lower back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left foot disorder (numbness and tingling).

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee degenerative joint disease/right knee strain is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability prior to July 8, 2021 is granted.,An initial rating higher than 30 percent for vestibular migraine headaches and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood prior to July 3, 2014 are both remanded. A rating higher than 30 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood between July 3, 2014 and March 28, 2016 is also remanded. A rating higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood prior) from March 28, 2016 is remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease/right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran seeks a higher rating, but the Board finds no evidence to support such an increase in disability level.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service symptoms and reports of dizziness.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's vertigo/dizziness is being evaluated again to determine its onset during service or its relation to his tinnitus.

The Veteran's stepson, L.B., is recognized as a helpless child due to his cerebral palsy.,Service connection for left knee arthritis and swollen lips (claimed as hives) are granted based on in-service burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other conditions, is granted as incurred during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).,Memory loss secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.,Meniere's syndrome and endolymphatic hydrops, claimed as a disability manifested by falling and dizziness, are also granted as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 100 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal, with symptoms including daily vertigo and irregular gait.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's vertigo, including motion sickness and nausea. The examiner will address whether the Veteran's vertigo began in service or is related to an incident in service, specifically the February 2013 dental procedure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a skin condition and vertigo, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level I in both ears.,Service connection for vertigo secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and vertigo due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA physicians.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current vestibular dysfunction, vertigo, confusion, disorientation, and headaches. The Veteran needs a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, migraine-headaches, and vertigo due to new and material evidence received since the final denial of these claims.,Service connection is granted for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mild neurocognitive disorder, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced in favor of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo associated with tinnitus, and tinnitus associated with bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vertigo and his service-connected conditions, specifically the perforated right tympanic membrane and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and unverified stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, and a peripheral vestibular disorder (PVD).