Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and vertigo, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and remanded the issues of service connection for Meniere's syndrome and Left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness and peripheral vestibular disorder due to his service-connected tinnitus is granted. His claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation. The Veteran's TDIU claim, including on an extraschedular basis, is also denied.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to complete several actions related to the Veteran's claim for additional VA disability compensation benefits under the CRDP program, specifically for the period prior to March 1, 2010. The AOJ must obtain all relevant VA records and DFAS audit error worksheets, perform a paid and due audit, and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether Meniere's disease is related to service, including potential exposure to jet fuel.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease and tinnitus associated with the condition were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that prior to August 7, 2020, there was no evidence of attacks of vertigo or cerebellar gait warranting a higher rating under DC 6205. From August 7, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's tinnitus is already rated at its maximum under DC 6260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and the STRs do not show relevant symptoms during service.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no competent and credible evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's STRs do not show any reports of or treatment for hearing loss.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder is denied as there is no competent and credible evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to in-service injury or exposure. The Veteran's STRs do not show any reports of or treatment for these conditions.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as the VA examinations found that there is no ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation is not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs only noted a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema is denied as there is no competent and credible evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to in-service injury or exposure. The Veteran's STRs do not show any reports of or treatment for these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied as the VA examinations found that there is no ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation is not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs only noted a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied as there is no competent and credible evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to in-service injury or exposure. The Veteran's STRs do not show any reports of or treatment for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left foot bunion, sinusitis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (claimed as dizziness) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his alleged chemical exposures during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to an in-service injury or illness.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied due to non-attendance at an examination. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as dizziness) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo and dizziness disorder as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.