Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 11, 2009 for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and has reopened the service connection claim for a heart condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for additional examination and review.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic diarrhea, respiratory insufficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran's private clinician provided a nexus opinion linking the conditions to his Gulf War service, but this opinion lacks supporting details from the record.

The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, muscle pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, left eye condition, unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tension headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps are denied as the evidence does not show a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and an increased rating of 40 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Epstein-Barr syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis, migraines/headaches, lumbar spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and eosinophilia due to insufficient evidence of current severity and manifestations. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to assess his symptoms.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral upper extremity disorder, and proteinuria. The claim of service connection for a kidney disorder was reopened based on new evidence. Service connection for headaches and hypertension is granted, but the Veteran's hepatitis C rating remains at 10%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disorders, as well as her claim for migraine headaches due to or aggravated by PTSD. The CFS claim is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, microscopic hematuria, obesity/weight gain, bilateral knee disability, hypothyroidism and nodular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, gastrointestinal disability, and kidney disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis, cervical and thoracolumbar spine arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep apnea. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a headache disorder were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support service connection on either direct or presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for polymyalgia rheumatica and idiopathic cardiomyopathy, including exposure to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to confirm the timeframe of the Veteran's service at El Toro and verify his exposure to contaminants.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.,The Veteran's skin condition, tinea versicolor, was rated at 30 percent due to the affected area being between 20-40% of his total body or exposed areas. The claim for an increased rating was denied as he did not meet criteria for a higher rating under the new regulations.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, and no higher ratings were granted due to lack of evidence supporting additional functional loss during flare-ups, repetitive use, or pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue, right knee disability, left knee disability, and headaches due to lack of evidence supporting a distinct disability from his service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested withdrawal of his claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, sleep apnea, collapsed right lung, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, CFS, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient in-service medical records and the need to obtain additional private treatment records. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding his conditions will be considered, but without supporting documentation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue syndrome have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for gastritis and an increased rating for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for GERD, bilateral foot disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent prior to November 7, 2016. Service connection for a lung disorder and chronic fatigue are denied.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue as an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service, finding that the Veteran's current fatigue is due to her mental health conditions and poor sleep. The claim was reopened on new evidence.