Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sinusitis due to inadequate examination and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an imbalance disorder is reopened, but the issue of secondary service connection for residuals of 7th nerve paralysis, left side remains remanded due to need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current work environment may exacerbate his PTSD symptoms and make it unsuitable for him to continue in his current occupation. The Veteran also underwent a new VA examination which noted changes in his PTSD symptomatology, including increased irritability and anger outbursts. Therefore, the case is being remanded to allow for a vocational rehabilitation assessment that considers all of the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's vestibular disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for vertigo, right ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was not addressed as it is related to a non-service-connected condition (left ear). Service connection for right knee disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo to obtain additional evidence from the Veteran.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder including Meniere’s syndrome is rated at 100 percent, granting a higher disability rating. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployment (TDIU) is denied as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus caused or contributed to his vertigo, Meniere's disease, and other balance issues.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 30, 2015, for service connection were denied. The appeals for the remaining issues have been remanded.

The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss has been withdrawn.,The claim for service connection for Meniere's disease has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinions and a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's vertigo is related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's balance disorder, including vertigo, dizziness and Meniere's syndrome is related to service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, upper respiratory disorder (including sinusitis, allergies, and rhinitis), headaches as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 28, 2010 for the grant of service connection for Meniere's disease was denied. The claim for a higher evaluation for Meniere's disease disability with hearing loss and tinnitus prior to December 9, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2011.,The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome (previously evaluated as left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral vestibular disorder) is rated at 100 percent since January 27, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, sleep apnea, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease have been granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are resolved in the Veteran's favor.