Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2016

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome resulted in constant forgetfulness and confusion, restricting his routine daily activities by 60 percent prior to September 14, 2015. Since then, he has not experienced any signs or symptoms of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, diagnosed as an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War, has been granted. The evidence submitted after the initial denial included relevant official service department records confirming her service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is being considered for service connection as secondary to his already service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is distinct from or related to his fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for memory loss and chronic fatigue have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, joint pain disorder, reaction to an anthrax shot, migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD), chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative changes, and fibromyalgia. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer, status-post radical prostatectomy was denied by the RO. The Board found that additional medical records and an addendum opinion were needed to determine if chronic fatigue is related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted. The increased rating claim for the back disability, as well as the claims for increased ratings for bilateral leg radiculopathy and fibromyalgia are pending. An earlier effective date claim for fibromyalgia is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. The Veteran was granted an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD, but his claims for shoulder disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable due to his chronic fatigue syndrome, spinal stenosis, splenectomy, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's muscle and joint pains, fatigue, and sleep disturbances are not related to his military service or exposure. The conditions were attributed to known clinical diagnoses such as musculoskeletal disabilities and obesity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has chronic fatigue syndrome and whether it is related to his service or due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective June 24, 2014. He also received increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral knee instability from July 17, 2014. The RO has awarded him a TDIU prior to July 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain with fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, a disorder manifested by difficulty breathing (undiagnosed illness), and acid reflux (GERD) due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his request for a hearing and did not want to proceed with the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, skin problems/disorder, heel spurs, headaches/migraines, dizziness/vertigo, leg pain, CFS, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability in most cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness to include as due to Gulf War syndrome is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that it first manifested during active service. The Veteran's other claims of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spouse does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities, as she is able to perform daily activities independently.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a disability manifested by loss of smell, or a sleep disability (to include sleep apnea).