Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for a psychoneurosis (anxiety disorder) and denied the remaining claims due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right second toe is well grounded. However, her claims for service connection for stomach ulcers, acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, perforated right eardrum, and a disorder manifested by anemia are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The appellant's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse, chronic fatigue syndrome, uterine fibroids, asthma, and syncope also lacks sufficient evidence to be considered well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking his current conditions to his active service or chemical exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for heart problems, headaches, joint and muscle pain, loss of memory, a sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue are not well grounded. The claims will be denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for liver disorder, chronic fatigue, and irritability are denied. The claim for an initial rating of noncompensable for diarrhea is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis, but denied the veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to an undiagnosed illness), and post-traumatic stress disorder. The effective date of service connection for dermatitis is set at April 7, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic fatigue, joint pain in shoulders, hips, and elbows, headaches, back disability, and right knee disability are well-grounded. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is currently rated at 50 percent and effective from March 30, 1994 to May 1, 1997. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, lymphoma, Epstein-Barr viral syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. The expert opinion from the VA Medical Center denied an etiological link between these conditions and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue, as well as PTSD. The evidence does not show that the veteran manifests PTSD due to an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for anxiety neurosis. The claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic lung disease as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, hypotesticularosteopenia or loss of bone mass, a mid and upper back disorder, human adjuvant disease with peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected removal of the right testicle with testicular silicone implant; ulcers as secondary to medications prescribed for service-connected disability; and chronic fatigue syndrome are supported by cognizable evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is not supported by cognizable evidence showing it is plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran has chronic fatigue syndrome attributable to active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for memory loss, lack of concentration, elevated temperature, and depression due to undiagnosed illness is not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint disease, skin disease, scleroderma, Raynaud's Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), genetic damage with fragile X chromosome (FXC), a heart disorder, and defective hearing, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his service or inservice exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and service connection were denied. The appeals are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder (including chloracne) due to exposure to Agent Orange, a stomach condition, and a nervous condition. However, the claim of service connection for chronic back strain and chronic fatigue remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is well-grounded and grants this claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not well-grounded.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current chronic fatigue syndrome to his military service or reported continuity of post-service symptomatology.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss is not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,Although the veteran has reported asbestos exposure in service, there is no medical evidence of asbestosis or any asbestos-related disorder.,Respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,The veteran's claim for flu-like symptoms involving the sinuses is not well-grounded.,Muscle aches in thighs and lower legs are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for muscle aches resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Eye symptoms are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for eye symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Stomach symptoms are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Generalized joint pain and shaking are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Fatigue as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness is plausible, but the veteran has submitted some evidence supporting this claim.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss related to an undiagnosed illness is not well-grounded.,Joint pain in ankles and hips are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Joint pain in thumbs, fingers of both hands, wrists, elbows are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and thus denied.