Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of migrainous otalgia and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back problems and sleep apnea, as well as his increased rating claim for dizziness/vertigo, are being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,VA is required to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of their claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for brain aneurysm, vertigo, double vision, hypertension, and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran is presumed exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted on these issues.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's vestibular disability and TDIU claims. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a current vestibular disability, which may be related to his in-service head injury in June 1971.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the case is remanded to determine if his vertigo is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's vertigo and stroke residuals are granted as service connected.,Reasoning: The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, with positive medical evidence associating the conditions to his service.

The Veteran's rhinitis is granted as service-connected, but his deviated septum and vertigo are denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's vertigo and sinus polyps.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for memory loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, vertigo, and pulmonary sarcoidosis due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reviewed again as they may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness with staggering as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking the dizziness to his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, including as due to Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and vertigo have been dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity has also been dismissed.,The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the ascending aortic aneurysm was not granted as there is no evidence showing it occurred prior to May 18, 2015.,The appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and pes planus have also been dismissed due to lack of evidence showing they occurred within one year before the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, hypertension (secondary to vertigo), anxiety, and depression are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous remands. The case will be further developed with a new VA examination by an audiologist or other specialist in ear conditions.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, as the current VA examination was inadequate and did not consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran will be provided with an updated VA examination to determine if his Meniere's disease had its onset during service or is otherwise related to it, specifically to include his military noise exposure and reports of dizziness in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headache disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected Meniere's disease and chronic serious otitis media, left ear.

The Board denied service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, finding that the condition was not present in service or related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to insufficient evidence of more frequent attacks of vertigo or cerebellar gait.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for blurred vision, vertigo, and neuropathy (including as secondary to a tumor of the right pelvic bone) are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is required to provide new examinations that address the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), gastrointestinal disorder disability other than GERD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with vertigo and dizziness are remanded.