Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for vertigo, vascular malformation, and headache disorder were granted with an effective date of December 8, 2014. The Board denied earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as her claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to vertigo, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of a pulmonary condition/respiratory problem, dental condition, vertigo to include dizziness, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), fibromyalgia and bilateral foot plantar fascitis were dismissed.

The Veteran's vertigo, diagnosed as vestibular disequilibrium with dizziness and occasional staggering, is rated at 30% from June 6, 2014 to August 23, 2017. A higher rating is not warranted.

Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD.,Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from December 27, 2004 onward. The Board found that the evidence showed his disabilities prevented him from maintaining a suitable job as a truck driver due to his vertigo and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a stroke claimed as secondary to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a disability claimed as residuals of a stroke, and entitlement to service connection for Mal de Debarquement syndrome (MdDS) due to inappropriately remanding the matter without adjudicating it first.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and BPPV as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work. The issues include seeking higher ratings for chronic pansinusitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss; determining whether he has service connection for Meniere’s disease; and considering entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to unresolved issues regarding the nature and onset of the Veteran's vertigo, as well as its relationship to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition, migraine headaches, and pain disorder with depression or persistent somatic symptom disorder are currently rated at the maximum available levels.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were restored effective November 1, 2016. The Board found that the original rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his hearing loss and its related symptoms, including vertigo, dizziness, stress, anxiety, vision problems (including cataracts), and any other conditions he claims are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of May 10, 2017 for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia. However, his claim for a higher rating for peripheral vestibular disorder remains pending and is being remanded.,The Board found that the Veteran submitted an intent to file a claim on May 10, 2017, but did not submit a complete application until April 9, 2018. The effective date of his service connection for fibromyalgia was granted based on this submission.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo, to include secondary to service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2007 rating decision. The evidence did not show a causal connection between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for PTSD, hypertension and tinnitus, high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability, erectile dysfunction, residuals of a back injury, vertigo, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the awards have not been determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current work environment may exacerbate his PTSD symptoms and make it unsuitable for him to continue in his current occupation. The Veteran also underwent a new VA examination which noted changes in his PTSD symptomatology, including increased irritability and anger outbursts. Therefore, the case is being remanded to allow for a vocational rehabilitation assessment that considers all of the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sinusitis due to inadequate examination and other issues.