Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2020

The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including due to exposure to air pollutants and as secondary to service-connected pulmonary asbestosis, is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to anoxic brain injury caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with significant contributing factors of fibromyalgia. The claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for fibromyalgia for accrued purposes is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as they are not yet clear on whether the Veteran's symptoms of fatigue or fibromyalgia are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a chronic fatigue condition with exhaustion and dizziness (claimed as Gulf War syndrome) due to failure to appear at a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after additional development, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and attempting to contact the Veteran.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence showing it began during or within one year after service and the examiner found it less likely related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and left ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show current diagnoses of these conditions.,For PTSD, the Veteran’s symptoms were deemed to be less severe than what would warrant a higher rating (100%), as he did not exhibit gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, or memory loss for names of close relatives, occupation, or own name.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his military service in Southwest Asia. The claims will be reconsidered after additional research is conducted.

The Veteran's disability, Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), is currently rated at 40 percent under the rating criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to evaluate all manifestations of his CVID.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and fibromyalgia and joint pain.

The Veteran's multi-symptom illness, including joint pain, muscle aches, chronic fatigue, headaches, neurologic symptoms, primary hypogonadism and insomnia, is granted as service connected due to Persian Gulf War service. The respiratory condition claim is remanded for further examination. The hypertension secondary to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for CFS is denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnosis or etiology related to service.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination in April 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, a skin disorder, and a headache disorder are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney stones, and to reopen the claim for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disability, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to their relationship with undiagnosed illnesses. The Veteran needs additional examinations to determine if he has current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right ankle disability, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a respiratory condition as secondary to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's representative is urged to assist in obtaining private medical records from his pain management providers.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including nerve damage, tinnitus, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastritis, bilateral hearing loss, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, acoustic neuroma tumor in the left internal auditory canal, and neck disability. The right foot disability claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied, but he was granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, neurological disorders (fibromyalgia and toxic encephalopathy), CFS, heart disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss. The appeals are now pending with the AOJ.