Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Veteran's headaches and fatigue/sleep disturbance are found to be secondary to an undiagnosed illness, while the right knee condition is granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include a neoplasm of the lumbar spine, has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection is denied for hyperostosis (excessive growth of the bone).,Service connection is denied for osteoporosis (to include osteopenia).,Service connection is denied for right hip disability, to include a neoplasm and/or trochanteric bursitis.,Service connection is denied for limitation of motion of the right leg (also claimed as osteoarthritis of right knee).,Service connection is denied for viral syndrome, to include chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection is denied for polyarthralgia.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left eye disability claim remains pending as additional information is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a sleep condition, and migraine headaches. Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and gastrointestinal disability, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and his symptoms were attributed to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and fibromyalgia. His claim for IBS remains pending as there is no evidence of record linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia warranted a 40% evaluation from August 19, 2013 onwards. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder (eczema), and migraine headaches were granted, while the claim for endometriosis was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue is denied as it is not considered a qualifying undiagnosed illness. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her scar, residual of ganglion cyst removal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including those related to undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multisymptom illnesses. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis, is denied because she does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left hip, hearing loss disability (bilateral), chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not meet the criteria for direct service connection in these cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip is set at November 13, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia with muscle and joint pain and chronic fatigue syndrome as medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses, presumptively related to the Veteran's Gulf War service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent and the RO has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also received a higher rating of 50 percent for his PTSD from August 26, 2015.

The Veteran's pancreas disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, and chronic fatigue syndrome were not granted service connection. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.