Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis and the examiner found that the Veteran's in-service injuries had healed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, stomach/back skin rash, hair loss, recurrent tension headaches, and occasional sleep problems is remanded due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and idiopathic thrombocarpnia purpura as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, including as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness or multisymptom illness, is denied. The issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea and xerosis (skin rash) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mycoplasma infection was denied. His claim for service connection for an undiagnosed Gulf War illness (manifestations of chronic fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep problems, subjective cognitive impairment, and orthostatic-related symptoms manifested by postural dizziness) was granted.

The Board dismissed the claims for failing vision, Gulf War syndrome, and TDIU. The claim for service connection of low back disorder was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection for CFS and gastrointestinal disorders were denied as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for mitochondrial disease and muscle weakness, vertigo, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, AAA, gastrointestinal problems, arachnoiditis, enhanced brain meninges and Horton’s syndrome, a chronic headache disability, and cognitive maladies. Additional records are needed from SSA and private sources, and VA medical opinions are required to clarify the disabilities and determine their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, rectal polyp, and major depressive disorder. Additional evidence is needed, including VA and private treatment records, and a new examination may be required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all remaining issues, including those related to increased ratings and service connection. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including fibromyalgia, malaria, brucellosis, Coxiella burnetii, chronic fatigue syndrome, mycobacterium tuberculosis, sleep apnea, angina pectoris, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), amyloidosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chloracne, and hemorrhage as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities for any period on appeal.

This decision grants service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and remands the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, left shoulder disability, and myofascial syndrome. The Veteran's IBS is presumed due to Gulf War exposure. Service connection for his other conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for chronic fatigue syndrome was granted with an effective date of October 16, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for this rating since November 2011 and assigned it retroactively to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his honorable periods of service and for health care under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD warranted a TDIU rating, and his other service-connected disabilities combined to more than 60 percent. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the December 2010 rating decision that failed to award SMC at the (s) rate due to CUE.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to various joint and musculoskeletal issues as well as tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, lactose intolerance, prostate cancer, and its residuals. The Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf is noted.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability was reopened and granted, while the claims for left knee disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and headaches were denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is at least a 50% probability these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding muscle and joint pain. The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and headache disorder are denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective April 8, 2014. Service connection for other conditions has been granted.