Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2003

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral Eustachian tube dysfunction with vertigo and a separate 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus, effective from the dates specified in the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current head and neck injuries, including headaches and cervical spine degenerative disk disease, are not related to his military service. The veteran's pre-existing migraines were not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a new condition being incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including any in-service radiation exposure.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for vestibular neuritis from January 17, 1997 to June 30, 1997 was denied. For the period beginning July 1, 1997, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo is not related to his service-connected right ear disorder, and therefore denied this claim. The tinnitus was found to be related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 30 percent for Meniere's Disease from May 14, 1952, through October 5, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability and head injury residuals, including headaches and vertigo, are likely due to injuries sustained during service. The benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for vertigo and denied entitlement to an effective date prior to March 16, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo and heart disease, to include hypertension. The claims for a compensable disability evaluation for suppurative otitis media of the left ear and an initial compensable disability evaluation for suppurative otitis media of the right ear were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cerebellar degeneration and vestibular dysfunction, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 19, 1996 for the grant of service connection for Meniere's Disease.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right shoulder or left shoulder disability that is service-connected. The Board also found no evidence of Meniere's Disease in service, but it was granted as the disease began during his military service.

The Board found that the veteran had left ear hearing loss disability and Meniere's disease, both attributable to service. The claims were granted.

The veteran's headaches with vertigo, secondary to removal of acoustic neuroma during VA hospitalization and treatment, were not found to be additional disability resulting from the carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome, but it is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. The claim for service connection for vertigo is also denied.