Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and Meniere's disease due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service noise exposure, head/face trauma, and use of headphones.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and ear conditions, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, are dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182. The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea is also dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for vestibular symptoms because the Veteran filed a VA Form 10182 in response to an October 2015 rating decision, which was not an initial decision under the AMA system. The issue of service connection is still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acoustic neuroma, right ear hearing loss, and balance problems due to potential toxic exposures during service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is conceded, but a medical opinion is needed regarding any other potential TERA (toxic exposure risk activity).

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for vertigo associated with the service-connected TBI, but has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's adjustment disorder is related to her TBI.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for left shoulder condition, left wrist condition, and COPD. The Veteran's claim for vertigo is granted, as is his claim for asthma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for syncope is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, but the claims for service connection of peripheral vestibular disorder and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vertigo, migraines, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo disability, which is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis and tinnitus, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome is granted as service connected due to its being a result of his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is caused or aggravated by his service-connected perforation of the left tympanic membrane.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for vertigo due to a lack of current disability, and the need for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected nephrolithiasis was denied. The Veteran also had claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and headaches, which were both denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of Meniere's disease or headaches that are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.,The Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition of Meniere's disease or bilateral hearing loss at the time his claims were adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo disabilities are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experiences current TBI residuals other than headaches and vertigo, which are due to a TBI during his active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI does not require the need for personal healthcare services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or who provides such services under the regular supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. The effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements necessary to warrant special monthly compensation at any rate.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential secondary service connection.