Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo conditions are rated at the maximum allowable levels. The insomnia disorder and depressive disorder with anxious distress warrant a 70 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for vertigo. The claims for service connection for right elbow/arm condition and sleep apnea were denied, as was the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for vestibular hypofunction of the right ear was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of occasional staggering.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's vertigo cervicogenic dizziness, PPPD, BPPV, and/or vestibular migraine as secondary to her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS. The Board also granted service connection for her migraine, cervicogenic headache as secondary to her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and vertigo due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection was not granted as the appellant did not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vestibular neuritis and his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their passing, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of Meniere's syndrome, with aural fullness, hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective date assigned was February 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and will consider evidence submitted after the May 2021 decision.

The Board has already decided the issue of severance of service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and this appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for Meniere's syndrome and vertigo, insomnia, and adjustment disorder with anxiety secondary to service-connected tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at an initial 30 percent disability rating prior to September 26, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches occurred once a month over several months and were considered prostrating, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's GI disorder and hemorrhoids are found to be proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The Board has also remanded for additional development regarding the claims of vertigo and sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding the claimed condition of vertigo. The appellant's BPPV is not related to his service, according to the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that he did not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 6204. The Board denied a higher rating as there is no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's vertigo disability is due to his service-connected perforated right tympanic membrane with history of otitis media disability. Service connection for this condition is granted.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals for TDIU, a rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with TBI. Service connection for Meniere's Disease is granted.