Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or a link between the condition and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected labyrinthitis with vertigo is rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection for chest pains and shortness of breath as due to undiagnosed illness remains denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of tinnitus, service connection for mental disorder, vertigo, and allergic rhinitis were all denied. The RO found that the maximum schedular rating for bilateral tinnitus had been assigned, and there was no evidence linking any current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for cervical spine disability, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability with lower extremity paresthesia, dizziness and vertigo, fatigue, fever, cardiovascular disorder (heart racing), cold sores, and night sweats. The claims are granted as presumptively related to Gulf War service exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his in-service grenade accident. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of April 23, 2002.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo based on new evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and failed to reopen his service connection claims. The veteran was not provided with proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in duty to assist and duty to obtain evidence.

The veteran is entitled to special mode transportation due to his service-connected disabilities and medical necessity.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence has been presented.

The veteran is granted reimbursement for the cost of private medical services incurred at Florida Hospital, Altam Springs on May 2, 2003 due to an emergent condition related to his service-connected Meniere's disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hypertension, depression, and arthritis of the left shoulder. Other claims remain pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for vertigo and PTSD will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of new evidence in support of the veteran's left ear hearing loss claim, and to review all claims together.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, effective from September 26, 2003. The other issues were not addressed as they are not currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, and therefore denied both claims. The veteran's current level of bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of tinnitus, vertigo, respiratory condition, right knee pain, and electrolyte imbalance at a hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for positional vertigo and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a clinical vestibular evaluation from the Omaha VAMC.