Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2001

The Board has remanded the case due to recent changes in the law, including the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA), which requires additional notification and development action. The veteran's claims for service connection are being readjudicated.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% disability rating for CFS is pending. The RO has awarded a 40% disability rating for CFS effective September 9, 2001.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and other service-connected conditions were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome with arthralgia is related to his service in the Persian Gulf War and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression, chronic fatigue, and migraine headaches as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claim for an increased evaluation for lumbar scoliosis was also denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy, depression, hepatitis B, appendectomy scar, skin rash, hemorrhoids, right wrist keloid, epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, impotency, colon disorder, anemia, and sinusitis. The claims are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, and eczema. The veteran's complaints were attributed to known diagnoses and no evidence was found linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating need to be remanded due to incomplete records, lack of adequate medical opinions, and procedural issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic diarrhea and fatigue due to undiagnosed illnesses were denied. The Board found that the presence of these conditions has not been objectively demonstrated.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome on a direct basis as there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, as defined in VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hiatal hernia with gastritis and duodenitis, a scalp condition, a skin condition, hemorrhoids, migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illnesses during active service in Southwest Asia.

The Board found that the appellant's joint pain, chronic fatigue, and sleeplessness are manifestations of undiagnosed illnesses incurred during his service in the Gulf War. The claims were granted.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, neurogenic bladder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and reactive airway disease (RAD).

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a sleep disorder and chronic fatigue secondary to an undiagnosed illness or sleep apnea due to incomplete development of evidence. The claims will be reviewed in light of relevant law, regulations, and court decisions.

The veteran's headaches, fatigue, hair loss, and depression are all found to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf region. These conditions were not previously recognized or diagnosed during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C, finding no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 27, 1993.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection due to his failure to respond to requests for information and evidence, resulting in an abandonment of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to an injury sustained during active duty for training in March 1995.

The veteran's fibromyalgia was incurred during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.