Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2011

The Veteran's diagnosed lumbodorsal back disability, including shoulder and hip pain, is considered service-connected due to an undiagnosed illness associated with Gulf War service.,Ankle joint pain is also considered service-connected as an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have a left knee disorder, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The VA examiner's opinions in December 2010 concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his service-connected lumbar disc disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CFS and multiple joint pains have been denied as the initial rating was assigned in August 2003, which is not subject to appeal. The Board found that an initial 20 percent rating is warranted for the service-connected multiple joint pains.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's service dates and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic Lyme disease was incurred in, or caused by, her military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial evaluation of sarcoidosis and earlier effective dates for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis, and costochondritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a comprehensive VA examination and review of the record.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues except possibly service connection on the merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a finding that his symptoms began during service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have migraine headaches, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome during service and could not establish a link between these conditions and his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring that the VA has considered her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, folliculitis, and sleep apnea as presumptively related to active duty in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's claims for skin rash, flu-like symptoms, weight gain/loss, and chronic fatigue are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are not deemed to be caused by VA medical treatment, as the evidence does not support a finding of carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on VA's part. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that these conditions were due to his own medication use.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are found to be due to known clinical diagnoses and not attributable to an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issue of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were granted effective from May 4, 2004. The decision is based on evidence relating to his National Guard service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including providing notice of VA's duty to assist in developing the claim and considering service connection as a direct issue rather than an undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for sebaceous cysts, chronic fatigue, and multiple joint pains due to undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's recurring skin conditions were attributed to PTSD.