Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience during the period on appeal prior to October 1, 2016. Therefore, TDIU was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's dizziness/giddiness is a separate disability or merely a symptom of another service-connected condition, and if so, whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by any such condition. The VA will need to obtain additional records and provide an updated opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed balance condition and secondary service connection for his bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an independent medical opinion from a specialist in otolaryngology, and to seek any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's anal condition is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo and headaches due to lack of clear evidence.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and vertigo claims, including additional VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and opinions on their etiology. The remanded issues include determining if there are functional loss due to flare-ups or repetitive use, as well as assessing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities impact his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on obtaining more detailed information about their current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to service connection for vertigo due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The appeal with respect to entitlement to a TDIU from January 26, 2009 is dismissed. The issue of service connection for a head or vestibular disability (other than Meniere's disease) is remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is denied as the evidence does not show symptoms at a workload of 5.0 METs or less, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent, or episodes of congestive heart failure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for vestibular disorder, including tinnitus and dizziness, as well as its aggravation by medications related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin condition, service connection for vertigo, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease is related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at a 10 percent prior to July 18, 2018 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for additional development due to outstanding non-VA treatment records.,The Veteran's Meniere's disease with chronic suppurative otitis media was remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether tinnitus should be considered a symptom and if the condition warrants a compensable rating prior to August 7, 2020.,The Veteran's alopecia with scarring was remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether it should be characterized as discoid lupus erythematous.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his skin disabilities, as the current VA opinions are inadequate. The Board also finds that service connection should be reopened on new evidence.