Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss, or hypertension during service or within one year post-service. The appellant's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and no competent medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain as qualifying chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses incurred during active military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the majority of issues. The claim for an increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran is also not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue with dizziness, memory loss and concentration problems due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and did not constitute a separately diagnosed disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a thyroid condition, and a mild chronic intermittent lumbar strain have been dismissed due to the untimely filing of his substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of mononucleosis are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and there is no evidence linking any symptoms to service. Therefore, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, lesions and skin rash, and chronic fatigue syndrome as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's CFS and IBS have been rated as 10 percent disabling, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Bilateral hearing loss has also been rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, rash in the legs and groin, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection for these conditions.,There are conflicting statements regarding the onset dates of symptoms such as tinnitus and rash in the legs and groin.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was granted effective January 7, 2000.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were granted effective from January 25, 2002. The Board found that the earlier effective date of June 13, 2000 was appropriate based on new service treatment records received after a prior final decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for service-connected chronic fatigue and mood disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether he intended to withdraw these appeals, as well as further development of his medical records.

The Board found no current diagnosis of polymyalgia, CFS, or any other claimed conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain medical records from the Barstow Home and High Desert Medical Center, and for a VA examination of his left ankle disorder. The case will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a mood disorder (depressive symptoms) as secondary to the service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The initial evaluation of CFS was increased to 10 percent effective September 14, 2005. However, an evaluation greater than 40 percent for CFS is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were granted effective May 12, 2003.