Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for skin cancer of the left arm (as secondary to service-connected left hand osteoarthritis), cancer of the lip, inner ear disorder (vertigo), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the issue of service connection for tinnitus is based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her left ear hearing loss and vertigo (claimed as Meniere's disease), finding that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for vertigo were denied as the evidence did not show that his claimed conditions resulted from VA treatment or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining prison medical records and updating VA treatment records.

The Board found that it is not in the Veteran's favor to assign separate disability ratings for hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus does not warrant referral for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis and Meniere's disease due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases regarding the duty to assist, failure to provide VA examinations, and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the RO.

The Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and the Board finds that he did not incur Meniere's disease or sinus disorder during service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's episodes of vertigo, dizziness, and nausea are symptoms and signs of his service-connected anxiety and adjustment disorders, phobia from chemical or petroleum products, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and loss of balance is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development. The examiner will assess whether his current condition is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and tinnitus.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims for various conditions, including obsessive compulsive depression, nasal deformity, positive tuberculosis test (claimed as pulmonary tuberculosis), costochondritis, headaches/vertigo, and abdominal pain. The disposition of these cases will be determined based on the outcome of the reopening process.

The Veteran's vertigo is currently being considered for service connection, with the claim remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's Meniere's disease appeal is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty. The claim for Meniere's disease remains pending and requires additional development.