Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's CFS has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating, which is the highest available under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The Board found that his fatigue and other symptoms have restricted his routine daily activities to less than 50% of his pre-illness level throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's tension headaches with sleep disturbance are rated at 50 percent effective November 4, 2015. Service connection for CFS is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment in service records. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of vision and sleep disorder. The issues related to TBI or residuals thereof, bilateral inguinal hernias, headaches, sinus disorder with shortness of breath (sinus disorder), eating disorder, balance disorder, CFS, seizure disorder, PUD, esophageal disorder other than GERD, diabetes, bladder disorder, and muscle disorder have also been denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's HIV was evaluated at a 30% rating for the entire period on appeal, and his CFS was granted a 100% evaluation effective June 25, 2014. The skin disability claim is pending.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and her eye condition (bilateral cataracts) is not related to service connection.,Her sinusitis and sleep apnea are less likely than not caused by or resulting from military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness based on Persian Gulf service are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to radiation exposure or toxin exposure. The case has been remanded for further development, including dose assessment and referral to the USB.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome was granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered a new condition that has been reopened on the basis of new evidence. Service connection for his gastroesophageal disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Veteran's tinnitus, residuals of a head injury (including hearing loss and/or tinnitus), chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep disorder, joint pain, and muscle pain are not service-connected.,While the Veteran reported symptoms related to these conditions during his military service, there is no evidence in the record that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by such service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry due to conflicting medical evidence and the Veteran's service in the Gulf War region. The Veteran is seeking service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary before the claims can be decided on their merits.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Veteran's GERD was diagnosed in May 2010 and the examiner found it likely related to service, while his headaches have not been diagnosed.

The Veteran's functional gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS and ulcerative colitis, was incurred during service. The Board granted service connection for this condition but dismissed the remaining issues due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The claims of vision loss, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches, hearing loss, sleep apnea, Gulf War syndrome, deviated septum, and cystitis are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection claims, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's gynecological disorder claimed as hysterectomy with uterine fibroids, urinary incontinence, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic fatigue, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome and attributed his symptoms to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any such disability is related to service.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue, skin condition, joint pain, and dizziness are presumed to have been incurred during service in the Persian Gulf War due to undiagnosed illness.