Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a medical opinion on the etiology of his claimed Persian Gulf disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depression to include sadness and anxiety, and a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion from the February 2018 VA examiner. The AOJ must also adjudicate his claim seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as it was not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and instead found that the Veteran's fatigue symptoms were related to his known diagnoses of sleep apnea and medication side effects. The other issues on appeal are also addressed.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current disability due to chronic fatigue is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea. As such, the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue secondary to sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for updated VA treatment records and another VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, or whether his symptoms are related to PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, dermatitis and skin disorder, headaches, and PTSD as they have already been granted by the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a neck disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, and muscle and joint pain. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations to address these issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals concerning his claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome, and initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome. The appeal concerning tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, GERD, heart disability, elbow disabilities, sinusitis, nasal allergies, hemorrhoids, and gum disease are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during military service and is related to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened your claims for service connection for joint pain (claimed as arthritis), left hip degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea with insomnia. However, these claims are still denied because the new evidence does not establish a link between your current disabilities and your military service.,Your claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to environmental hazards of the Gulf War is not established.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to Gulf War conditions, and there is no nexus between his current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected chronic fatigue and weakness due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer is granted, with an evaluation of 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer from May 1, 2005 is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection as it had an onset during active service.,There is no evidence of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome has resulted in symptoms that were nearly constant and restricted routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level. The Board finds a rating of 40% disabling for CFS is granted.