Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

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

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's syndrome has been manifested by consistent complaints of attacks of vertigo and severely altered gait between two and four times per month, warranting a 60 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or inner ear disorder with vertigo and disequilibrium, due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The weight of the evidence demonstrates these conditions are not related to any event or injury during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and chronic vertigo did not have their origin during his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of vestibular neuronitis is attributable to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be rescheduled for another hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the issues of entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates were also addressed. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus, and denied other claims.

The Veteran's residuals (dizziness, vertigo, labyrinithitis, poor balance) of a head injury are causally or etiologically related to an injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss and vertigo (claimed as Meniere's disease) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and ear disability was granted, with the effective date set at August 26, 2009. The Veteran is now rated at 100 percent for these disabilities as of that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and Meniere's disease, finding that there is no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or within one year of discharge from service, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an injury to the coccyx, a left shoulder disability, and dizziness and vertigo, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's vertigo, also claimed as Meniere's Disease, was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than July 10, 2006 for service connection of vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo, or inner ear disorder, was not incurred during active military service and is therefore denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and vertigo, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran service connection for left knee strain and Meniere's syndrome with tinnitus, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found that diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated in active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting a VA audiological examination. The issues of an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, assignment of a TDIU, service connection for peripheral edema of the feet bilaterally, and service connection for a bilateral eye disorder (to include conjunctivitis and punctal stenosis) are also being remanded.