Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition secondary to left shoulder rotator cuff tear, sinusitis, and a 30 percent rating for vertigo since December 14, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, left and right hand disabilities, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, headache disability, vertigo, hiatal hernia/GERD, and effective date prior to June 28, 2018, for the award of service connection for other trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Board granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, but no higher, for other trauma and stressor-related disorder and a TDIU.

The Board granted a separate rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected vertigo and staggering, finding that the symptoms are not duplicative or overlapping with those of his tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma, Barrett's esophagus/gastroesophageal reflux disease, and mucous retention cysts to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their nature and etiology.

The Board granted service connection for low back condition, neck condition, right arm epicondylitis, and a disability characterized by vertigo, nausea, and loss of balance.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and a left knee condition, but denied service connection for hearing loss, vertigo, right ankle, right knee, and right wrist conditions. The claims for lumbar spine and allergic rhinitis were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia and an anxiety disorder, secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and vertigo, as the AOJ failed to obtain a proper medical examination and opinion in this case.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for testicular atrophy with male sterility and hypogonadism, deviated septum, migraines, and hypothyroidism. A 100 percent rating was granted for Meniere's syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome, finding it is at least as likely as not that the condition started in service and has continued since.

The Board granted service connection for Meniere's disease and peripheral vertigo, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied ratings in excess of the current levels for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and otitis media; granted a separate 30 percent rating for vertigo; and granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hemorrhoids to schedule VA examinations. The claim for a right knee disorder is denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus and a 30 percent rating for Meniere's disease with vertigo, effective from February 24, 2018. It also granted an initial 50 percent rating for headaches and a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 8, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a vision condition, left ear hearing loss, and herpes simplex/erythema multiforme. The claims for hair loss, bilateral shin splints (claimed as muscle pain), fibromyalgia (claimed as muscle pain), and Meniere's disease with vertigo were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease was granted a rating of 100 percent, and TDIU was granted. An increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for migraine headaches, granted an effective date of August 16, 2022, but no earlier, for the 100 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, and remanded claims related to special monthly compensation.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 30, 2014, for the 30 percent rating for vertigo.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has Meniere's disease and its etiology, as well as to obtain outstanding service treatment records.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and remanded several issues related to interstitial lung disease, psychiatric disability, fatigue, vertigo, muscle disability, Raynaud's phenomenon, gastrointestinal disability, difficulty swallowing, headache, skin disability, blurred vision, upper respiratory symptoms, and vertigo as secondary conditions.