Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is denied as the VA did not provide prior authorization and he had private health insurance covering his treatment.

The Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and/or chronic fatigue syndrome. For the period from December 2001 to August 2003, he was not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder; however, for the period from May 15, 2006 onwards, his chronic fatigue syndrome warranted a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss disability to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis of the fingers and toes, acid reflux disorder, hypertension, and asthma are all granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Her lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and a TDIU was timely filed, resulting in the grant of these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is found to be a residual of an in-service Anthrax vaccination, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private psychiatric treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral calf muscle aches, sleep maintenance insomnia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are being considered as new and material evidence was found in reopening his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue and sleeplessness, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness, are being remanded for further development. The Veteran also has a claim for an initial compensable rating for headaches which is pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.,Chronic fatigue was not diagnosed or attributed to any specific condition in the medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a qualifying additional disability caused by VA treatment, including the stenting procedure and angioplasty in October 1998. The evidence does not support a finding of a mental health disorder or chronic fatigue syndrome resulting from this procedure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records, verifying service in the Persian Gulf War, and arranging for examinations to assess her fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pain, migraine headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for CFS, right shoulder disability, residuals of mouth and throat cancer, or bilateral hip disabilities. The fatigue symptoms are attributed to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and nexus to service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue, and as a result, the issue is dismissed.