Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, vertigo, and a cardiac disability to include chest pain due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to service. His vertigo and heart conditions are also not supported by the available medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for vertigo was denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a traumatic brain injury, and a cervical spine disorder due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's TBI residuals, including his gait abnormality, anxiety disorder, and unspecified neurocognitive disorder. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine these issues.

The Veteran's TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches are all rated at the lowest possible compensable level. The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease, characterized by frequent dizziness and vertigo occurring more than once a week, is rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for Meniere's disease effective April 12, 2012. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 30%. The decision also grants special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis or onset during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current symptoms and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for residuals of a head injury. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD remain denied as there is no established link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will attempt to reschedule the examinations and provide further guidance.

The Veteran's PVD with BPPV, rated at 30 percent since November 24, 2008, is granted effective from that date.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with the completion of prior remand directives and additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims.