Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is granted, with an effective date of May 17, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand skin condition, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted, with service connection established on a presumptive basis due to his Gulf War service. The claim for TDIU prior to August 14, 2019 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 50% from September 19, 2018 to August 5, 2019 and at 30% beginning August 6, 2019. The effective dates for the initial ratings of 30%, 10%, and 20% were granted on July 18, 2017 for chronic heartburn with stomach bloating and diarrhea, asthma, and cervical spine radiculopathy respectively. The Veteran's CFS was restored to a 20% rating effective August 6, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for IBS and CFS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet presumptive or direct service connection criteria.,For left sciatic nerve involvement, a rating of 20 percent was granted effective November 2, 2016. For migraines prior to December 4, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating from January 28, 2014 to June 1, 2016. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gastroesophageal Disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 6, 2014 for the grant of service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder was denied.,Service connection for varicose veins and gallbladder disorder were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and that it is not due to an undiagnosed illness or a chronic multi-symptom illness. The most probative evidence indicates that the Veteran does not suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a low back disability and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA records and undergo examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome due to environmental exposure in the Persian Gulf, as well as his claim for an increased rating for service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff. The appeals are remanded because the VA examinations did not adequately address the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran’s sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in adjudicating the issues raised by the Appellant, including her arguments regarding service connection for coccidiomycosis meningitis and other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, and the Board dismissed the issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for other conditions and issues were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes or restrictions on routine daily activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The Veteran's fatigue is attributed to other conditions, including sleep apnea and anemia. Therefore, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development, specifically regarding periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, sciatica, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted initial separate ratings of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from December 31, 2008 to June 19, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the left knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent from June 20, 2016 to July 10, 2017 for degenerative arthritis, right knee, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter under Diagnostic Code 5257 was denied.