Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address his hearing loss, vestibular disorder, and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a balance disorder manifested by vertigo; and a gastrointestinal disorder. The claim for sarcoidosis was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and vertigo. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's vestibular toxicity and peripheral vestibular loss are considered a result of the carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on his part rather than due to VA treatment. The Board finds no fault, negligence, or error in judgment by the VA in administering gentamicin.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limited motion of the ankle. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on functional loss or ankylosis. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's traumatic positional vertigo has been rated at 30 percent since June 28, 2006.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and chronic vertigo are related to his active service, including noise exposure during service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo was denied, and his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on his audiometric test results.

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

The Veteran's initial claim for left ear hearing loss was granted with a non-compensable rating effective May 6, 2004. The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date and service connection due to lack of evidence showing a claim within one year of discharge or prior to May 6, 2004.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for vertigo can be decided.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an inner ear disorder, including Tullio's syndrome, hypersensitivity to high-pitched noises, and vertigo is granted as his symptoms are linked to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a vertigo/equilibrium disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease has resulted in occasional dizziness, but not hearing impairment or other symptoms. The Board granted a 10% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran does not have service connection for Meniere's disease or bilateral hearing loss secondary to Meniere's disease due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of service connection for loss of taste, bilateral hand arthritis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The other issues on appeal have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and left ear disability, as well as his requests for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disorder present until after discharge from service and concluded that any current knee disorders are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of right shoulder arthritis and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence showing that the current levels of disability warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.