Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War syndrome (claimed as chronic fatigue) is dismissed.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted due to reopening of the claim and evidence showing it is related to service. Secondary service connection for thoracic spine disability, sleep apnea, and chronic lumbar spine disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic headache disorder and fatigue disorder, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.,Service connection was also denied for kidney disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), blood disorder, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder as moot because it was granted in an October 2018 rating decision. The issue of chronic fatigue immune deficiency is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his headaches are found to be related to active duty. Bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are currently pending and will be reconsidered by the RO. The remaining denied conditions include acquired absence of teeth, fatty liver, left great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, right great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), pain in all joints and muscles, bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spurs, bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), hernias, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant or his authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal for earlier effective dates for chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn's Disease), and bilateral hand numbness, all of which he contends are related to his Gulf War exposure.,Service connection has been remanded for the Veteran's claims of chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hand numbness.

The Board previously denied service connection for chronic fatigue disorder, but the Court has ordered a remand due to an inadequate examination. The Veteran will need a new Gulf War examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The decision also denied service connection for memory loss. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), to include as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete development of his Gulf War exposure history. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for depressive disorder with anxiety features and migraines, as well as TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder has been granted service connection.,Multiple Sclerosis, right wrist disorders (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and other conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, chronic fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a right shoulder disability, and bilateral hip disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will conduct a Gulf War examination to assess whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a current acquired psychiatric disability, such as PTSD, is present and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), mental confusion, lack of concentration, and memory loss. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including an increased rating for vasodepressor syncope with pacemaker implantation and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to his vasodepressor syncope. Additionally, the claim for TDIU must be developed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a muscle condition (fibromyalgia) have been denied as there is no current clinical objective evidence of disease or pathology to support diagnoses for these conditions. The symptoms are not considered an undiagnosed illness, a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, or a partially explained etiology.