Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), bilateral toenail fungus, and corns on the feet. The appeal was remanded for further examination of the Veteran's toenail fungus and corns.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis during his active service. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis and/or sarcoidosis may be related to his active service, including the in-service anthrax vaccinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthralgia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, cardiovascular condition, gastrointestinal disability, skin disability, hair loss, neurologic symptoms in the upper extremities, and pulmonary vascular disease. The decision also granted an initial 20 percent rating for plantar fascial fibromatosis with hammertoe right foot and left foot starting December 21, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for gout and hypothyroidism has been dismissed.,The previously denied claim for sleep apnea was reopened, but not granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as it began during the Veteran's military career.,Service connection for hypokalemia is denied as there is no evidence of a disability resulting from service.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied due to lack of qualifying signs and symptoms under 38 C.F.R. § 4.88a.,Service connection for the disability manifested by chronic pain/muscle and joint pain/right arm pain is not granted as it does not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness in Southwest Asia.,Service connection for sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims to reopen for chronic fatigue and depression/anxiety with alcohol use were also granted, but the Veteran is still awaiting a VA examination to determine if her current symptoms are related to her military service. Her secondary service connection claim for alcohol abuse with depression and anxiety as secondary to PTSD remains pending. Additionally, her claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes was remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no current diagnosis or established link between the condition and military service.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran has allergic rhinitis that may be related to his active duty service. The June 2015 VA opinion was based on a single bout of allergic rhinitis, which does not meet the criteria for chronic disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its relationship to military service. A new VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service.,The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to IBS remains in dispute, with a June 2015 VA examiner concluding that there is no causal or aggravating relationship. A new VA examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve this issue.,Service connection for a headache disability is remanded as the Veteran claims his symptoms began during service but there is conflicting evidence regarding its onset and etiology.,The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains in dispute. The June 2015 VA examiner found no link between CFS and military service, with a new examination and opinion needed to determine if the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to Gulf War exposure, as there are insufficient findings regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease was denied. The initial rating of 50% for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, but the effective date remains pending as additional evidence has been added to the record since the most recent supplemental statement of the case. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted with an effective date of June 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia due to potential environmental exposure during his Southwest Asia deployment. The Veteran must provide releases for any care providers who may have relevant evidence, and he will be scheduled for examinations related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and attributing his symptoms to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis and its relation to active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies has been reopened and granted. The claims for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and fibromyalgia are remanded due to the need for further development.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a TMJ condition and bruxism is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, vertigo, tinnitus, and iron deficiency anemia is denied.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but an earlier effective date for PTSD remains denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, headaches, and joint pain are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and skin rash as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to presumed environmental exposures during his service in Southwest Asia. The claims are being remanded to reschedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms and whether they constitute a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2).