Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2006

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory problems, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, weight fluctuation and metabolic disorder, eye disorders, a cyst on the left testicle, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper VCAA notice and for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, skin condition, headaches, and chronic fatigue due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection under any theory.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine the etiology of his symptoms.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded. The RO must arrange for a comprehensive examination and obtain treatment records from the veteran's health care providers. If another physical examination is required, the RO must notify the veteran of his responsibility to report for the examination.

The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome with granulomatous lymphadenitis and major depression has not resulted in anemia, dyspnea, edema, or incapacitation of at least six weeks per year. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 15, 1992, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to herbicide exposure. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bloody stools and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, and lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs. These conditions are presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome or psychiatric disability, as there is no competent evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability manifested by loss of memory and concentration, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint arthralgias, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), allergic rhinitis, and urinary tract infection (UTI) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development of the veteran's service medical and personnel records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his lumbar spine disorder with myofascial pain and radiculopathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome is necessary before deciding this appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep apnea and fatigue are not related to his military service, with the exception of chronic fatigue syndrome being presumed due to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, including exposure to hazardous materials.

The Board denied an increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not significantly restrict his routine daily activities or result in periods of incapacitation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was denied. The claims for service connection of various conditions due to undiagnosed illnesses were also denied, except for the PTSD claim which was granted but not rated as it was placed in appellate status.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including dyssomnia, dizziness, memory loss, aching joints, leg pain, chest pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted as due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.