Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for eczema, motion sickness/vertigo, nose bleeds/epistaxis, rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the evidence did not support an in-service onset or link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo (also claimed as Meniere's disease and imbalance) due to a lack of evidence showing that his current condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance since September 21, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation prior to September 21, 2022 was denied as there is no evidence of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in a final June 1995 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.,A rating of 50 percent for residuals, left skull trauma, is discontinued from July 26, 2018 due to impermissible evaluation under two separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, specifically regarding a VA medical opinion for the cervical spine condition. The peripheral vestibular condition is inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine condition and will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent, which the Veteran already has.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The claims for sinusitis, ear condition (including vertigo and Meniere's disease), and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, vertigo, and skin disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability remains pending as remanded.

The Board denied service connection for auditory neuropathy, bilateral optic neuropathy, vestibular disorder including BPPV and Meniere's disease, and inner back neuropathy due to the lack of diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's vertigo condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to glioblastoma multiforme, finding that none of his service-connected disabilities directly caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appeal is dismissed as there was no evidence linking the glioblastoma multiforme to his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, dizziness, and light-headedness. The claims for compensable disability ratings for restless leg syndrome of both legs, a rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder, service connection for a skin disability, and service connection for erectile dysfunction are all remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The Meniere's disease claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for herpes virus, Bell's palsy, and vertigo as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and headaches, finding that there is no evidence showing these conditions began during service or are related to his period of service. The Board also found that the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot numbness, also claimed as peripheral neuropathy feet and calves, has been granted. The claim for service connection for vertigo, also claimed as dizziness, is being remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for Meniere's disease due to a lack of VA treatment records related to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the (k) rate due to loss of use of hands and feet was denied as he does not have loss of use of a hand or foot such that he has no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of scar, left hand (claimed as a result of a spider bite), vertigo, infertility, gout, back spasms, and left toe condition are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,Service connection will not be granted for these conditions without additional evidence linking them to service.