Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including those related to his Gulf War service and undiagnosed illnesses, are granted.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including pain of the knees, ankles, feet, hands (including fingers), chronic fatigue, upper respiratory symptoms, and headaches, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty or being attributable to a known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and assigned an initial 50% rating, effective July 16, 2008. The appeal is mixed as the appellant's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.

The Veteran's service connection for low back strain and chronic fatigue was denied. The low back strain received a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected mood disorder with chronic fatigue and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records from other VA facilities and conducting neuropsychological testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no medical evidence indicating that he has been diagnosed with this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as the appellant is deceased.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, dysthymia with pseudodementia, and primary insomnia, are found to have onset during her active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis with otitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's chronic headaches and fatigue are found to be secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C, and he is granted a higher rating for endocarditis.

The Board found no current disability associated with the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis infections, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary frequency, fatigue/weakness, and asthma have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of qualifying chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain private rheumatology and neurology records, as well as a re-examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and schedule him for a VA examination. The issues of effective dates are also being remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 21, 2002 for a rating of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea has been granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective from the date of award. The Veteran withdrew his appeals on several other issues including left wrist de Quervain's tenosynovitis, left shoulder bursitis, and earlier effective date for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as it is not shown to be related to service or the service-connected dermatofibrosarcoma with residual scalp scar.,The Veteran's claim for dermatofibroma of the left leg, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is denied as there is no evidence that this condition was incurred in service.,The Veteran's claim for a left leg scar secondary to dermatofibroma of the left leg is denied as it is not shown to be related to service or the service-connected dermatofibrosarcoma with residual scalp scar.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by symptoms including muscle pain, memory loss, and fatigue, was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings remain in appellate status.