Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2022

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for vertigo. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent, with an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment shown in the left ear. Service connection for vertigo was also denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and Meniere's disease due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease as being aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo/dizziness are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, including an audiogram for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for Meniere's disease due to insufficient development and consideration, including obtaining all relevant VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and headaches were denied, but the claim for dizziness was reopened. The PTSD claim was also reopened.,The Veteran's left ring finger disability rating was restored to 10 percent effective November 1, 2018. Service connection for Meniere's syndrome and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and migraines, finding that there is not a current link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning regarding service connection for vertigo. The Veteran's vertigo is being reviewed again with a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, migraine headaches, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 25, 2017. However, he was granted a total rating of 100% for his service-connected ischemic heart disease and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria as of January 25, 2017.

The Veteran's benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, tension headaches, and migraine headaches with aura are found to have begun during service.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and mood disorder with major depressive-like episodes are found to be caused by his now service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, and the Board denied an extraschedular rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Meniere's disease prior to March 20, 2018 is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the feet secondary to service connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for vertigo, including dizziness and giddiness, secondary to service connected migraine headaches and/or tinnitus, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated based on the evidence provided during the hearing and any additional records obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo and flank pain. The Veteran's complaints of these conditions predate his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,The Board noted that while the Veteran reported symptoms of dizziness and hearing loss during service, there were no documented diagnoses or treatment records indicating such conditions. The VA examinations found no current disabilities related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee condition and vertigo are not related to service, but has remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine degenerative joint diseases, a peripheral vestibular condition (lightheadedness and disequilibrium), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for vertigo prior to September 23, 2019, and since August 31, 2020, is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities is granted.