Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo and vestibular disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is currently in a 'unknown' status as it has not been adjudicated yet.,The Veteran's claim of reopening his bilateral hearing loss claim was granted, and he now has service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to an initial evaluation of 30 percent for peripheral vestibular disorder, which includes dizziness and occasional staggering. This rating reflects the severity of his disability as supported by medical evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for dizziness and transitional vertigo. The decision also remanded the rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, does not constitute a current disability for which service connection may be established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD, a disability manifested by liver and spleen enlargement, including as due to his service-connected PTSD, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to housebound benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which combine for a rating of 70 percent. He also meets the age requirement (over 65 years old) and has served during a period of war (Korean Conflict).

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and vertigo, both of which are now considered on their merits.,Service connection is established for PTSD due to a verified in-service stressor and for vertigo as residuals of a lightning strike.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claims for Mônière's disease and labyrinthitis (previously claimed as loss of balance and/or vertigo) and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting inconsistencies in medical records regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for Meniere's syndrome. The claim of reopening the motion sickness with vertigo service connection issue is not before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's vertigo and back disorder were found to have onset during service, warranting service connection. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and did not establish service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, or Meniere's disease.