Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have labyrinthitis, loss of equilibrium, vertigo, or Meniere's disease based on service. The evidence shows no current disability and no recurrence of symptoms from an in-service episode.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches with dizziness, formerly claimed as Meniere's Disease, was denied by the RO. The maximum benefit of a noncompensable rating has not been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a chronic disease process manifested by dizziness and vertigo, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board found that there is no relationship between the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and his claimed vertigo, and denied both claims for service connection. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support the occurrence of an in-service stressor.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and Meniere's disease as secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that they were not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board found that the veteran's vertigo, loss of balance, and/or dizziness was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for additional examinations. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current endolymphatic hydrops and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are at least as likely as not related to an injury incurred during service, specifically a head injury sustained in boot camp. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in considerable impairment of social adaptability and interactions with others, including problems with irritability, depression, and the desire to isolate. The Board found that a 50 percent evaluation was warranted for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic inner ear disease or vestibular dysfunction manifested by vertigo.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's current Meniere's disease and migraine headaches and his active service, or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for dysthymia and anxiety, an ulcer and hiatal hernia, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, and grants service connection for a cochlear and vestibular disorder due to acoustic trauma sustained during military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's labyrinthine dysfunction/Meniere's disease to service or his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.