Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2025

The Board restored the 50% rating for migraine, granted service connection for vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected migraine, and granted service connection for infertility. However, it denied service connection for left and right restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of vertigo, as secondary to bilateral inner ear rupture (ruptured tympanic membrane).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, but denied service connection for BPPV. The right lumbar radiculopathy was also granted as secondary to the back disability.

The Board remands the service connection claims for various conditions, including vision disability, allergies, and back pain, due to insufficient evidence of toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of vertigo and the medical evidence did not support a link between the veteran's military service and any symptoms experienced.

The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right arm, a left knee disability, chronic sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome pursuant to the PACT Act, and an increased 10 percent rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims for service connection for an eye condition, vertigo/dizziness, GERD/reflux, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left wrist degenerative joint disease, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, a right foot condition, a left foot condition, and a right achilles tendon/ankle condition were denied. The claims for service connection for hypertensive heart disease/high blood pressure, sinusitis, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and a skin condition were remanded.

The Board finds that new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the last adjudication of the claim for service connection for vertigo in October 1991, warranting readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and right ear hearing loss due to missing medical records and the need for additional development.

The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and vertigo, as well as the requests for readjudication of the previously denied claims for a left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), erectile dysfunction (ED), bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, bilateral eye pseudophakia, sinus disability, emphysema with left lung nodule, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), skin disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are dismissed. The request for readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted in part as it was fully resolved by a June 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected peripheral vestibular disorder from December 13, 2020, to September 25, 2023, an earlier effective date of December 13, 2020, for the establishment of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate from April 13, 2023, to September 25, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as persistent depressive disorder, but denied service connection for residuals of head injury other than vertigo and headaches, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI), and for vertigo. The left wrist disability claim was remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 13, 2022 for the awards of service connection for PTSD, headaches, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Meniere's syndrome manifested by vertigo and dismissed the appeal for a higher initial rating.

The Board granted service connection for vertigo, migraine, and tinnitus but denied it for an eye disability, left knee arthritis, nerve damage post removal of wisdom tooth, right arm arthritis, and right knee arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and remanded the claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent for the period prior to May 19, 2022, and denied an increased rating beyond 100 percent for the period beginning on May 19, 2022. A 30 percent initial rating was also granted for vertigo with Meniere's disease without hearing impairment.