Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hand tremors are service-connected and have persisted since his military service. The RO denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability in this ear. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea but denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's PVD has been rated at 30% since September 28, 2015, and his right knee conditions have had their ratings remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, including for a brainstem disability, vertigo and loss of balance, and headache. The Veteran's symptoms have been noted in his medical records over time.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a vestibular disorder, as requested by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected peripheral vestibular disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and Meniere's disease due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further clarification regarding the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for hypothyroidism, TBI residuals, headaches secondary to TBI, nystagmus secondary to TBI, vertigo secondary to TBI, lower back strain, and broken teeth. The claim for service connection for anemia is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for vertigo as it is no longer in appellate status due to a grant of service connection. The remanded issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound will be addressed.

The Board has determined that the current opinion is inadequate and requires further development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's vestibular condition, including Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed Meniere's disease, also claimed as vertigo, is at least as likely as not related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's in-service mandibular injury is noted, but further examination is needed to determine if his current conditions are related to this injury or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Meniere's syndrome, chronic headaches, and TMJ syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 26, 2008.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, dizziness/vertigo, and acid reflux due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for vertigo, which was secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left eye disorder, including macular scar, glaucomatous atrophy, cataract, and intraocular lens, is denied as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability has been reopened, but the Board finds no effective date prior to April 5, 2010 is warranted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea disorder (secondary to PTSD) have been remanded.

The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as secondary to the service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection for pemphigus vulgaris is granted on a direct basis due to continuous symptoms since service.,Right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and dizziness are all granted based on relative equipoise of evidence.,Heart disorder (claimed as a heart condition) is granted secondary to the service-connected pemphigus vulgaris.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted due to qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf criteria.,Irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye with distorted vision are both granted on a direct basis, while dry mouth is granted as a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vestibular disorder, including vertigo and Meniere's disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by imbalance and/or vertigo, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.