Meniere's disease

Tinnitus - Meniere's disease Factor

In the Statement of Principles for Meniere's disease the RMA has defined this to mean:

"a clinical condition characterised by recurrent attacks of episodic vertigo often associated with:

• nausea and vomiting;
• fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss;
• tinnitus; and
• a sense of fullness of the involved ear.

This definition excludes labyrinthitis, vertigo of central origin and other unspecified vertiginous syndromes."

It has its onset most frequently in the fifth decade of life, although younger adults and the elderly are not spared.

Usually only one ear is affected, although in a small number of cases both ears are involved. Tinnitus and/or deafness may be absent during the initial attack[s] of vertigo, but they invariably appear as the disease progresses and are increased in severity during an acute attack. With milder forms of the condition, the patient may complain more of head discomfort, slight instability, and difficulty in concentration than of vertigo and may be considered to be anxious or depressed. Usually the deafness is unilateral and progressive, and when it is complete, the vertiginous attacks cease. However, the course is variable. Audiometry, particularly in the early stages of the disease, shows hearing thresholds elevated more in lower than in higher frequencies - the reverse usually applies for sensorineural hearing loss.

Last reviewed for CCPS 10 June 2012.

Preliminary questions [13079]

13662 there is some evidence that Meniere's disease may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

13135 the veteran has suffered from Meniere's disease at some time.

13138  the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and VEA service for the condition under consideration.

13137 the veteran was suffering from Meniere's disease at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13139   the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

30385  the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

30386  the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

30384 the veteran was suffering from Meniere's disease at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

13140   the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30387  the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

or

30388  the veteran has established the causal connection between the Meniere's disease and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [30385]

17520  the Meniere's disease is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [30386]

17521  the Meniere's disease is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [30387]

17520  the Meniere's disease is causally related to operational service.

30389 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the Meniere's disease is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [30388]

17521  the Meniere's disease is causally related to eligible service.

30390 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the Meniere's disease is causally related.