Vertigo & vestibular disorders Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's Disease renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress, prepare food, move around safely, and communicate effectively. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective January 23, 2019, he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for endolymphatic hydrops (vertigo) with tinnitus and sensorineural deafness of the left ear was denied.,The Board also remanded the issue of whether there was CUE in the March 10, 1995 rating decision that denied service connection for vertigo.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's vestibular condition, including Meniere's disease, is related to service. The VA examiner was not able to provide a clear opinion on this issue.

The Board has denied service connection for migraines, vertigo, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no persuasive evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease and found in favor of the Veteran. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to December 14, 2020 is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an earlier effective date for the 30% rating for BPPV were denied. The Board found no new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the low back disability claim, and determined that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability has occurred was August 11, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for BPH and vertigo, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, are being remanded due to inadequate prior medical opinions. Additional records will be obtained and new opinions provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinion. The Board also notes that the Veteran served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, which triggers a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for dizzy spells, as secondary to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is granted. The claim for a TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective June 5, 2015. Service connection for iliohypogastric nerve injury (claimed as nerve damage to the stomach) and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claims for service connection for vertigo, gastrointestinal disability, neurological disorder, and asthma are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is denied, and his entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dizziness/Meniere's disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek clarification on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's vertigo and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the effective date for tinnitus being October 29, 2020.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for loss of eyesight, a mental disorder, balance issue, and shaking uncontrollably to correct duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was granted service connection as directly related to military service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of a causal relationship with the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder or tinnitus.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied because there is no evidence linking GERD to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.,Service connection for vertigo was denied as there is no established link between the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and his vertigo.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to MDD and anxiety disorder, and left eye disability.,There is no evidence of a current disability manifested by vertigo. The Veteran's allegations are not credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision did not address issues related to PTSD, TDIU, or other disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, urinary dysfunction, and knee and spine issues, due to an impermissible concurrent election under 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500(b).