Vertigo & vestibular disorders decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of vestibular neuronitis have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on current disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and Meniere's syndrome, finding no evidence of in-service hearing loss or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease with vertigo, finding no evidence of its onset during or immediately after service. Service connection was granted for hearing loss, presumed due to noise exposure in service, and denied for tinnitus.,The veteran had a preexisting hearing loss that worsened over time, consistent with the natural progression of progressive Meniere's disease.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and labyrinthine dysfunction (Meniere's disease) and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for otitis externa.

The Board has determined that Meniere's disease is not related to the veteran's active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence, and granted service connection for arthritis of the neck, low back, hands, and feet. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of rheumatic fever, hiatal hernia with reflux, and post-concussive migraine disorder.

The Board found that there was new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, dysthymia (a form of depression), and psychiatric disorder. The decision granted these claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by the VCAA are completed, including obtaining relevant records identified by the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including service connection for vertigo/dizziness and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was not warranted earlier than March 7, 1995.

The veteran's service-connected vestibular apparatus dysfunction and headaches are rated at their current levels, with no higher initial evaluations granted.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for labyrinthitis, chronic with benign postural vertigo. The evidence submitted since the last final decision did not establish a causal relationship between the veteran's in-service sinusitis and his current condition.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis with benign positional vertigo and tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the current severity of these conditions.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from June 12, 1995 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unemployable as of that date.