Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS, and GERD due to environmental exposures during service in Southwest Asia (Gulf War). The VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or due to exposure to chemical and environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that there may be outstanding evidence in the case and is therefore remanding it for further action.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis. The claims for service connection for CFS, left knee disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), glaucoma as due to DM, and asthma were all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to new evidence and testimony from the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, respiratory disorder (undiagnosed), and chronic fatigue disorder (undiagnosed) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to unresolved issues in the evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no current diagnosis of the condition in the record.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further development as the claim was not previously evaluated with a VA examination.,The left knee and neck disabilities are not being remanded as there is no new evidence relevant to these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected Lyme disease. The issue of service connection for painful joints is remanded due to a typographical error in the June 2017 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are granted as secondary to service-connected IBS, but other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was granted. Claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, lumbosacral strain, and TBI were denied or remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a fatigue-related disability, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing tinnitus and that the Veteran’s symptoms were better explained by his pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete service personnel records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's Crohn’s disease is rated at 30 percent since May 23, 2005. The rating for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine remains at 10 percent prior to October 5, 2017 and at 20 percent thereafter. Chronic fatigue syndrome with myalgia is rated as noncompensable. Head injury with headaches is rated as 10 percent disabling. Memory loss is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic fatigue syndrome prior to September 12, 2017 was denied. From September 12, 2017 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle pain of the legs due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide a release for VA to secure her private treatment records from St. Elizabeth Family Practice Center in Edgewood, Kentucky.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, but has remanded the issue of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The Veteran is granted a separate rating of 60 percent for service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) effective September 1, 2007. This decision resolves the Veteran's appeal regarding his initial rating and effective date.