Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of chronic fatigue disorder, costochondritis, left calf disorder (status post left calf gastrocnemius tear), and left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) have been denied as there is no current disability found in the medical records. The Board also noted that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's vertigo, scars of the left knee and wrist/arm, CFS, bilateral shin disabilities, frostbite residuals, and Meniere’s disease are not related to his military service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with these conditions since separation from service but there is no evidence linking them to his time in active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral cataracts, right shoulder cyst residuals, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, dizziness, numbness, short-term memory loss, and attention problems is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for sinusitis and a headache condition is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS, fibromyalgia, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for sleep apnea and fatigue, claiming chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as it is at least as likely as not related to his Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for right ear hearing loss disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and bilateral foot condition. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted. The Veteran's claims for vertigo, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nephrolithiasis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability, plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or anxiety disorder.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a right knee disability during service and concluded that any current right knee disability is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's fatigue is related to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and requires further examination.

Service connection is denied for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Respiratory Disorder with Chronic Cough, Hypertension, and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder. The remaining issues are REMANDED.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and CFS have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted effective November 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's kidney disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has found that the VA examinations are incomplete and requires a new examination to obtain adequate etiological opinions for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating greater than the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for irritable colon syndrome.,The Board has remanded issues related to chronic fatigue, chronic sinusitis, general allergies, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, functional dyspepsia, and headaches.

The claims for service connection for anxiety and erectile dysfunction have been reopened.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's back disability, diabetes mellitus, radiculopathy, diabetic retinopathy, chronic fatigue, and left foot condition resulting in toe amputations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,VA is required to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those related to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's upper respiratory condition, including bronchial asthma and bronchiectasis, is caused by his service-connected COPD. His mood disorder began in service and has persisted since then. Service connection for chronic fatigue is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability.,Tinnitus has been diagnosed, but the Board is remanding this issue as well.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to military noise exposure and has been granted service connection. Service connection for Lyme disease, CFS, and myalgia of multiple joints is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension are denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with a rating of at least 50 percent prior to January 15, 2018, but the issue is remanded for further development regarding an evaluation in excess of 50 percent beginning January 15, 2018.