Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headaches are related to service, including exposure to malaria in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a violation of the Veteran's due process rights by not providing him with copies of requested documents and an opportunity to respond to the January 2008 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and the Board finds that he does not have a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran does not have residuals of Lyme disease or mononucleosis that are due to service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, but the VA examiner found no such condition on examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The Board found that the symptoms claimed by the Veteran are not supported by a current diagnosis of CFS or IBS, and that any fatigue experienced is related to his service-connected PTSD with depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems, chest pain, and joint pain as due to 'Gulf War Syndrome' or as manifestations of undiagnosed illness due to service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied since November 1992, and the claim for a low back disability was denied since July 1992. The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS and lumbar spine DDD have been granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. The higher initial rating and TDIU claims are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that there is no evidence of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism, or an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression) due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated based on its current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar arthritis is service-connected, but her claim for chronic fatigue was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of his stressor allegations and a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or back disorders.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, as well as increased ratings for existing disabilities. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied both his claim for hepatitis C and his secondary claim for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic fatigue, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria of being new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current memory loss related to service, including in-service mercury exposure. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for CFS and IBS, as well as his service connection claim for a right knee condition. The effective date of these decisions is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective February 10, 2004. The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied as his current back disorder is less likely than not caused by or related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's complaints of fatigue have not been attributed to any service-connected disability. His only service-connected condition is a fracture of the right index finger, which does not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.