Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes.

The reduction in the rating for chronic fatigue syndrome from 40 percent to zero percent was proper, as the disability picture did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and assigned a 60 percent rating effective October 31, 2003. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess his low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not caused by VA medical treatment, specifically the administration of Felodipine. The evidence did not support a finding that the medication caused or aggravated his existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome are service-connected, with each condition meeting the criteria for a 10% disability rating within the applicable presumptive time period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and Epstein-Barr virus preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for schizophrenia, muscle and joint pain (generalized arthralgias), sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and headaches due to their complexity and need for further development.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was found to have its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board did not find evidence of a qualifying chronic disability for IBS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome under the presumptive provisions, as these conditions are not considered undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses related to service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, eye disorders, bilateral arm weakness, chronic fatigue disorder, and erectile dysfunction are not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides. As a result, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and malaria, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the low back strain claim receiving a 20 percent rating prior to September 26, 2003 and the chronic fatigue syndrome claim receiving a 40 percent rating prior to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected mood disorder with chronic fatigue and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and a new VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear residuals of his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran meets criteria for diagnoses of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and whether any joint pain or fatigue is related to service.