Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's disease with hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis and osteoporosis are granted as service connected.,Secondary service connection for conjunctivitis, hiatal hernia, peripheral vestibular disorders, chronic nephritis, facial rash, neuritis of the sciatic nerve of the lower extremities, and bilateral foot condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss with Meniere's syndrome, as well as his claims for Dependents' Educational Assistance and Special Monthly Compensation based on loss of use of hearing, have been granted effective from July 30, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and vertigo due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a bilateral refractive eye error and vertigo due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury and/or concussion, as well as her claim for headaches (secondary to a head injury and/or concussion), due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected hearing loss. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and vertigo or dizziness remain pending.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as insomnia), sleep apnea, and vestibular disorder have been granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection is March 31, 2016.

The Veteran's vertigo is related to in-service events during a period of dishonorable service, and therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical disability, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, vertigo, and lung/breathing disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient competent evidence of record.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease and related conditions were granted service connection, but the Board denied a higher evaluation as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is dismissed as the requested 70 percent rating has been granted.,Prior to September 20, 2010, the Veteran’s Meniere’s syndrome was rated at 30 percent. From that date forward, it is rated at 100 percent.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 30 percent prior to March 23, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter.,SMC at the housebound rate has been granted from September 20, 2010. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 23, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran was entitled to a combined rating of at least 70 percent with a single disability rated at 40 percent or more since December 23, 2010, and his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's benign paroxymal positional vertigo should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his service.