Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether Meniere's disease with vertigo, migraine headaches, and perilymphatic fistula had its onset in service. The Veteran's current disabilities are therefore granted as incurred in service.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected Meniere's Disease, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the condition and its impact on daily activities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or a chronic ear disorder, and there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection for recurrent ear infections and vertigo.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, hypertension, anxiety and depression (secondary to Meniere's disease), and tinnitus. The claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's dysphagia, headaches with numbness and tingling of the head, and vertigo are all found to be related to his service-connected right parotid adenocarcinoma treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current vertigo, dizziness, and loss of balance are related to his in-service head injury. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for Meniere's disease and right carotid fibromuscular dysplasia with scar, status post right carotid endarterectomy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria of Diagnostic Code 6205 (Meniere's syndrome).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The issues regarding Meniere's disease with vertigo, keloid scars, and microscopic hematuria were also addressed but are remanded.

The Veteran has a history of dizziness, nausea and vomiting since service. The medical evidence supports the diagnosis of episodic vertigo with central origin, which is considered M�niére's disease. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of Meniere's disease and that there is no evidence linking any such disability to service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder is manifested by occasional dizziness and vertigo, with no clinical evidence of staggering. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral vestibular disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Meniere's syndrome was denied as there was no pending claim prior to October 5, 2005.

The Veteran's claims have been interpreted to encompass Meniere's disease, and the Board finds that a VA examination should be conducted to clarify the etiology of this disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.