Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome is being remanded due to the need for further consideration and review.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, depression as secondary to hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep disturbances/insomnia as secondary to GERD are all being reviewed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a lower back injury.

Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a 50 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the April 2002 decision denying service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to a change in VA regulations, which now allows for presumptive service connection for medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchial asthma, a sleep disorder (including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were so severe as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since October 27, 2009. The Board has determined that the evidence of record demonstrates this and affords the benefit of doubt to grant a TDIU effective October 27, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and memory loss due to undiagnosed illness, as additional development is needed. Specifically, the National Archives and Records Administration must be contacted to obtain VA Medical Center records from 1997 to 1999 in Marion, Indiana.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus the case must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms have remained constant and warrant a 50 percent rating. However, the issue of whether acne is part of his service-connected PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue and fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

Service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleeplessness (undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), depression, and jaw disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of chronic fatigue syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, right shoulder disability, joint pain, muscle pain, sleep disorder, headaches, and memory loss have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The issue of secondary service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome to include as secondary to service-connected IBS is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left lung mass and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for chest pain and chronic fatigue are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied. The Board granted service connection for dizziness due to fibromyalgia, with a disability rating of 50%.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial rating for tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher schedular evaluation. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, CFS, headaches, CTS, restless leg syndrome, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and hypertensive renal disease. The Veteran's claims are pending due to incomplete VA records and lack of a Statement of the Case.