Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for PTSD, anxiety, residuals of TBI with memory loss, an eye disorder secondary to keloid scars, bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic headaches, and tinnitus. The specific theories of entitlement have not been fully addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder, finding that it was incurred in service and is related to his history of exposure to high decibel noise.

The Board granted service connection for Meniere’s syndrome or endolymphatic hydrops, tinnitus, and sleep apnea, with initial ratings of 100 percent for Meniere’s syndrome or endolymphatic hydrops, 10 percent for tinnitus, and 50 percent for sleep apnea. The Board also granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD. The July 26, 2019 rating decision implemented these grants.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and Meniere’s disease, to include vertigo, have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and OCD, has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to a previous grant of service connection in May 2013. The claim for service connection for chronic renal disease, to include hypertensive chronic kidney disease and stage 3 chronic kidney disease, has also been granted but is now moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and his meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh was restored to a 10% rating. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further action is required.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to symptoms including hearing impairment with tinnitus and attacks of vertigo occurring more than once a week.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a noncompensable disability level prior to May 28, 2019. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.,For the period prior to May 28, 2019, the Veteran’s vertigo was rated at a 10 percent disability level. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Effective from May 28, 2019, the Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome was rated at a 30 percent disability level. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disorder and low back disorder with radiculopathy, but has remanded her claims for service connection for vestibular disorder (vertigo), right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's MOS as a tank crewman is noted, but further medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere’s disease and denied service connection for an inner ear condition other than Meniere's disease. The claims for psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and chronic tonsillitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, CAD, sinus disorder, and vertigo are all remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU as a result of his service-connected disabilities. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and thus, denied his claim.