Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's VA treatment records show that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic valley fever fungus residuals, PTSD with associated mood/affective disorder, sleep apnea, and multiple peripheral neuropathies. The Board granted the claim for an earlier effective date of April 11, 2023, for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for entitlement to service connection for vertigo, as well as the propriety of reduction in ratings for L1-S1 degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the Meniere's disease and bilateral foot disability claims, and thus these matters are being remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a deferred issue of vertigo.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for vertigo, which is claimed as dizzy/spinning episodes and began during service. The Veteran's claims are related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, restless leg syndrome, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart disability to include cardiac arrythmia, right hand disability, TBI, bilateral eye disability as secondary to TBI, and vertigo as secondary to TBI are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection for these conditions is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination records and treatment records from non-VA providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence after a prior denial. The Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to properly determine entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, diabetes mellitus, heart disability, gastrointestinal problems, and pancreatitis have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's central vestibular syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and left lower radiculopathy have been granted with respective ratings. The effective date for the service connection of these conditions is set at October 2, 2012.,A higher initial rating of 30 percent has been granted for the Veteran's central vestibular syndrome, reflecting his unsteadiness and dizziness issues.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, indicating that these conditions make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including cardiovascular heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and foot disorders. The Board found no current diagnoses or functional impairments related to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active-duty service and granted. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for BPPV.

The Veteran's hypertension, scar from Crohn's surgery, and Crohn's disease with irritable bowel syndrome are granted. Headaches secondary to fatigue and anxiety as secondary to Crohn's disease are remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an ear disability and Meniere's disease, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.

The Veteran's vertigo is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and/or migraine headaches.

The Veteran's vertigo is rated at a maximum of 30 percent, effective December 17, 2021. The decision also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and continuity of vertigo. The most probative medical opinion relates the current condition to active duty service.