Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The appeal for PTSD was withdrawn, asthma/shortness of breath was denied, chronic sinusitis was denied, and the Veteran's TBI-related conditions were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, and vertigo, require regular aid and attendance from his wife due to limitations in mobility and cognitive function. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine whether service connection is warranted for the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, vestibular disorder (Meniere's disease and vertigo), and hypertension. The claims are REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo, but the claims for other conditions are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) due to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, valvular heart disease, hypertension, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, neck condition, right arm condition, left arm condition, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, back condition, bowel condition, headaches, and bilateral flatfoot for further adjudication due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing as provided by 38 C.F.R. �� 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his diagnosed conditions and his service-connected disabilities, as well as the potential impact of toxic exposure. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide updated medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's insomnia is a symptom of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and is already contemplated in the rating assigned. The claims for vertigo and TMD are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, BPPV, tinnitus, migraine headaches, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions that did not address all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as there is evidence of current disability, in-service acoustic trauma, and continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, a right ankle disorder, vertigo, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied due to lack of post-service medical records diagnosing these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder with dizziness, along with related bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is rated at 100 percent effective December 1, 2020. The separate ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and related vertigo are discontinued from the same date. Additionally, entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) based on the statutory housebound rate is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, hypersomnia, and migraine including migraine variants. The evidence established that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed. The Veteran's increased rating claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability and BPPV were restored to their previous evaluations of 30%.,Both the left knee disability and BPPV had been reduced from 30% to 10%, but this decision restores them to 30%

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear was granted a separate 20 percent rating.,An initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for depressive disorder was denied.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted service connection for vertigo and cervicogenic headaches secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue is denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic fatigue. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for esophagus, stricture of, and polyps (claimed as intestinal polyps, painful swallowing, GERD).,The Veteran's TMD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's IBS and cholecystectomy claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism, Graves' disease claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's stress incontinence claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's cervical strain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's back pain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's left side sciatica, right side sciatica, right hand condition, left foot pain, and right foot pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.