Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2018

All claims seeking to reopen previously denied service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine injury, thoracic spine injury, and heat stroke residuals. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral foot condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, lung and chest pain/condition, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and/or a disability manifested by fatigue and disordered sleep, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of in-service complaints or treatment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of service connection for multiple joint pain, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder/anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Board found that while there was no direct evidence linking the injury to his active duty service, the Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding an in-service incident where a generator door fell on him during a Scud missile attack.,The claims of service connection for chronic fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability related to these conditions, and there is no probative medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bursitis and arthralgia of multiple joints, CFS, mild obstructive airflow disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to his withdrawal at a hearing. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, rash of the shoulders and armpits, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression). The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her active duty and National Guard service, particularly concerning ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods from 2003 to 2009. The appellant must provide verification of these periods and any related treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and increased disability rating for the Veteran due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 23, 2013 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, residuals of a right foot injury (claimed as residuals of a right foot fracture), and chronic diarrhea (claimed as IBS) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS has been denied.

Service connection is granted for IBS due to a qualifying chronic disability. Service connection is remanded for CFS and initial rating for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's skin disability is granted as service connected. The issues of secondary service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, loss of memory/concentration problems, and sleep disturbances to include as secondary to PTSD; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); urinary tract condition; and right hand numbness are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, cervical spine disability, joint pain in the arms, dizziness, headaches, numbness of the upper extremities, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome with sleep disturbance and erectile dysfunction, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected GERD. The cases are remanded for further evaluations of other disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection. The appeals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder control disability, sleep apnea, and the reopening of claims for neuropathy and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate examination findings regarding whether the Veteran's fatigue and respiratory disabilities are attributable to a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's service records do not support the presence of a TBI in service, and his current disabilities are not linked to any incident during service.,There is no evidence of a head injury or TBI in service. The Veteran’s STRs do not mention a fall or related head injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic fatigue due to Persian Gulf service. The Veteran will be provided with a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea as there is no probative medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, and his symptoms were attributable to other conditions such as vestibular neuritis and sleep apnea. For bilateral plantar fasciitis, the Board noted moderate symptoms including pain on use but no objective findings supporting more severe ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pluriglandular syndrome, seizures, and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea condition.