Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is found to have been incurred during service, and he is granted service connection. However, his sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Other Specified Trauma Stress-Related Disorder (OSTSRD). The appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for vestibular disorder, to include Meniere's disease, due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied all of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of hearing loss, as well as his claim for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted a 100% rating effective February 23, 2015. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 30%. The Board found that the evidence showed attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and vertigo were exacerbated by the March 2000 VA procedure, which was a foreseeable complication. The Board finds that this additional disability is due to carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's TBI with vertigo is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus and related symptoms, including vertigo and hearing loss, are found to be related to her service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for vertigo and granted it. The claims of service connection for a back disability, otitis media, and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them at his hearing. Posttraumatic stress disorder with dysthymia is found to be incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and further review is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has current Meniere's disease that is related to active military service. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 22, 2013 and a higher rating thereafter, entitlement to TDIU prior to May 22, 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate are remanded.

The Veteran's Meniere's syndrome is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vestibular disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung condition, vertigo, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and heart condition are inextricably intertwined with other claims. Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing, as the Veteran requested one but no such hearing was scheduled. The claims related to diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are being reopened due to new evidence.

The Board finds that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether vertigo is etiologically related to a motor vehicle accident in service. After affording the benefit of the doubt, the criteria for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to incomplete adjudication and need for additional evidence. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's vertigo is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.