The Board remands the matter for another etiological opinion due to errors in previous opinions and questions regarding the credibility of the Veteran's statements about the onset of his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The remand is necessary because the previous examiner did not consider all relevant lay statements, was not an ENT specialist, and there are questions about the credibility of the Veteran's reported onset date.
- Claimed conditions
- Meniere's syndrome with vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2024
- Citation
- 24032391
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome with vertigo, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus prior to October 17, 2020, and in excess of 60 percent, thereafter; and an effective date earlier than January 20, 2024, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (s) rate based on statutory housebound status.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome with vertigo and zero percent for right ear hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not establish that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
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