Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease and tinnitus associated with the condition were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that prior to August 7, 2020, there was no evidence of attacks of vertigo or cerebellar gait warranting a higher rating under DC 6205. From August 7, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's tinnitus is already rated at its maximum under DC 6260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed vestibular disorder, which is related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's vertigo and vestibular dysfunction are related to service, particularly given his Gulf War status. The TERA examination is required.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 27, 2009 for service connection of TBI and April 16, 2014 for service connection of vertigo. The Veteran's claims were based on the residuals of head injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings in multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran and his spouse withdrawing their appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and related conditions, have resulted in a TDIU effective February 16, 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo is related to his military service, specifically his hazardous noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for vertigo is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and insufficient to establish a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and his STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder are denied as the Veteran's STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema (right and left) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service and the VA examiner found that his bradycardia is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. There is no in-service noise exposure documented and the Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his alleged chemical exposures during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left foot bunion, sinusitis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (claimed as dizziness) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, prostate cancer, hypertension, fatigue, syncope, vertigo, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have all been denied as not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo and dizziness disorder as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to an in-service injury or illness.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied due to non-attendance at an examination. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as dizziness) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating was implicitly denied in the March 2012 rating decision, as the RO considered his employment difficulties and awarded a 70% disability rating for PTSD. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as he was employed full-time in a protected work environment.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as secondary to service-connected migraines headaches. The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are rated at 70 percent from January 12, 2016.