Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right eustachian tube dysfunction and residuals of perforated tympanic membrane is remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of all related conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current TBI, speech disorder, learning/cognitive disorder, and balance problems are related to his active service. The Veteran failed to appear for the scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use his feet and hands. The case will be reconsidered after this additional evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further analysis of his peripheral vestibular disorder. The appeal regarding service connection for hearing loss remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.,The Board is seeking clarification on the qualifications of the examiner who provided the August and September 2022 opinions, particularly regarding their experience in rheumatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to procedural errors and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for vertigo and PFB were denied, while the claim for ETD was remanded.,The Veteran's vertigo prior to December 31, 2014 is rated at the maximum allowable under DC 6204 (10 percent), but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of frequent or severe symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases of Meniere's disease and vertigo, as well as bilateral hearing loss disability for further development. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's vertigo is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease or toxic exposure risk activities.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease or toxic exposure risk activities.,The Veteran's insomnia is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and whether it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease with fatigue and GERD.,The Veteran's migraines are being remanded for a retrospective medical opinion considering the severity of his migraines without medication since he filed his claim in July 2014.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease with secondary fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's pruritic papular eruptions are being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's vertigo/dizziness condition must be further evaluated due to conflicting opinions on its pre-service status and relationship to service.

The Board has found that there are outstanding records and the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for his service connection claims. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder and right upper extremity disorders are rated at the maximum allowable levels, with no further increases granted.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeals to reopen the claims for service connection for heart disability, vertigo, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a change in law regarding causation standards and because of insufficient reasoning provided by previous opinions. The Veteran's vertigo, anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, eye disability, and GERD are all being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, providing addendum opinions regarding his service-connected vertigo, and determining an appropriate effective date. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for vertigo, seeking an earlier effective date, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, as well as a TDIU effective from March 1, 2006, were all granted.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including those for higher disability ratings and service connection claims, due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease and vertigo due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for vestibular disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for additional development.