Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issues of esophageal varices, liver disease, hepatic cirrhosis, ascites, portal vein thrombosis, and portal vein hypertension as secondary to service-connected splenectomy. The rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease status post left transverse process fracture is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VRC evaluation and need for a new assessment of his employment feasibility given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during the claims period.,The Veteran's claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension is also denied. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure in the Gulf region.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his service, specifically as an undiagnosed illness. The VA is instructed to schedule a new examination for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling.,PTSD is not shown to cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and remanded the issues of service connection for stroke, right eye visual impairment, speech impediment, left arm weakness, left leg weakness, and memory loss as secondary to service-connected conditions. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ED, chronic diarrhea, CFS, right foot nerve damage, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The remand includes obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations for clarification of symptoms and diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the RO failed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's August 8, 2019 supplemental claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue. As such, this matter is being remanded to the RO for development and adjudication.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia, while other claims for increased ratings and effective dates are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence and outstanding records. The claims for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, weakness and lack of coordination of legs, radiculopathy of lower extremity, PTSD with dissociative symptoms and derealization, allergic rhinitis, headache disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory disability, cervical spine disability, tremors of hands, and costochondritis are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue symptoms are attributed to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and the Board finds no evidence of a chronic undiagnosed illness.,The Veteran's vertigo is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for reopening of previous final denials of service connection for various conditions, including endometriosis, hysterectomy, elbow and hip conditions, lupus, skin condition, wrist conditions, hair loss, joint pain, shoulder condition, neurological disorder, vision condition, upper respiratory condition, memory loss, and fatigue. The Board also remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for diarrhea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by fatigue, including chronic fatigue syndrome. The evidence does not show that the Veteran has any current disability other than his already service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and breathing problems, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions and insufficient evidence to link them to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a pre-existing condition aggravated by military service.,For his acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically chronic fatigue syndrome, the Board has found insufficient information and needs further examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to June 24, 2014 is dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The claim was previously remanded and granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome in July 2020.

The Veteran's chronic daily headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted service connection, while his chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to various mental health conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and paresthesia of skin. The remand requires additional development such as obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records, requesting SSA disability benefits records, scheduling a VA examination for the etiology of psychiatric disorders, and scheduling another VA examination to determine the etiology of the claimed chronic fatigue and myofascial pain disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, dysthymia, and sleep disturbances due to potential presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.