Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and diffuse body, muscle, and joint pain under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as presumptive disabilities related to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to the need to obtain SSA records and associate VR&E records with the claims file. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the Veteran's functional impairment caused solely by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and readjudication of her claims. The issues include service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, increased ratings for microcytic anemia and ventral hernia scar, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's memory loss is a manifestation of his service-connected depressive disorder and therefore, does not meet the criteria for separate service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the conditions are not related to his active duty service or any in-service exposure. The Board found that the peripheral vascular disease, including DVT, was caused by Factor V Leiden deficiency and not due to sodium dichromate exposure. Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disability, chronic fatigue or exhaustion with shortness of breath, neuropathy in the lower extremities, numbness of the arms and hands, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as mood disorder secondary to general medical condition), left hand arthritis, left knee arthritis, and skin disability (chloracne).

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's service included time spent in the Red Sea, which would allow him to potentially qualify for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a neck disability have been denied as there is no probative evidence of an in-service injury or illness, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic fatigue and migratory joint pain are not related to service or a service-connected disability, including PTSD with major depressive disorder. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome that is diagnosed or otherwise etiologically related to service. The VA examinations and opinions provided do not support a finding of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his cognitive disorder or acquired psychiatric condition.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an increased rating for CFS have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct, secondary, or presumptive service connection for migraine headaches. For CFS, the Board determined that the current ratings were appropriate based on the severity of symptoms prior to June 29, 2015.

The Veteran's otitis externa with excessive wax and discharge is related to his military service. Service connection for CFS and vertigo are not established as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neurological symptoms, headaches, skin disorder, muscle pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and CFS, were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic skin rashes. The Veteran will need to undergo medical examinations to determine if he currently has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's fatigue and dizziness are not considered chronic disabilities, and the Board finds that they are symptoms of his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for CFS prior to November 29, 1994.

The Veteran's left knee disability, chronic fatigue, and respiratory disorder are presumed to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The Board granted these claims based on presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illness.