Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. Service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic fatigue syndrome and sinusitis, have significantly interfered with her ability to maintain or obtain substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Board found that the evidence received since May 2004 is new but not material, and thus did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome. The cervical spine disability claim was reopened based on new evidence, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's CFS symptoms, while nearly constant and reducing her daily activity level to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level for at least 6 months, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent. The Veteran was granted a 60% evaluation effective July 9, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome and his reported fatigue symptoms are attributable to diagnosed depression and sleep apnea. The service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was denied. The Board found that the current disability rating of 20 percent adequately describes his symptoms and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, depressive disorder with anxiety, and bilateral ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and shoulder disabilities due to undiagnosed illness or in-service exposure.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint arthritis, a lung disease, and a disability manifested by chronic fatigue. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any undiagnosed illness found to be present.

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

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle spasm as they were not shown to be related to active service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied. The left eye laceration claim resulted in a grant of service connection, but the rating assigned is noncompensable. The diabetes mellitus, type II, claim resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial 20% evaluation.,The Veteran's residuals of a left eye laceration are manifested by a linear scar measuring 1.9 cm long and .2 cm wide, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a bilateral hearing loss disability or chronic fatigue syndrome, and his symptoms are manifestations of his service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus with Sjogren's syndrome.

The Veteran's hyperparathyroidism rating was restored from noncompensable to 60 percent effective August 1, 2011. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in October 2007. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep disorder were not established, while service connection for a back disorder was denied.

The Board has raised doubts about the Veteran's diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome, requiring further examination to determine if these conditions are present. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic fatigue, including symptoms such as fatigue, tremors, and myalgias, is related to his service exposure to manganese during active duty. As a result, the claim for residuals of manganese poisoning is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination. The issues are whether the Veteran has muscle weakness, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, or a skin condition that can be attributed to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for chronic fatigue, finding that the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.