Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted.,Service connection for GERD (claimed as gastric inflammation) has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s current diagnosis of GERD is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is not considered an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and her symptoms are attributed to rheumatoid arthritis. The Board finds that service connection for chronic fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and/or prescribed medications.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established on March 26, 2012, when he received a TDIU rating. The Board found that the effective date could not precede this date due to the permanent and total disability requirement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's attorney is seeking a different calculation for past-due benefits awarded in the December 2018 rating decision. The case needs to be remanded to ensure full compliance with contested claims procedures and provide the Veteran and his attorney with the contents of their respective submissions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special month compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, and diabetes due to new evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is not presumed related to his conditions, but they are being considered on their own merits.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran currently meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability in his left ear for VA purposes. The examiner must address whether the Veteran’s gastrointestinal, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.,A new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory issues including rhinitis, and skin conditions are due to disease or injury in active service. The examiner must address whether these symptoms are attributable to a diagnosed condition with both an etiology and pathophysiology that is at least partially understood in the context of the Veteran’s unique circumstances.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a skin disorder of the hands and feet have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to recent symptom worsening and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records submission. The Veteran is required to provide all of her identified treatment records, including those from the Fairfax Health Center and other healthcare facilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TBI, PTSD with depressive disorder/alcohol abuse, non-epileptic seizure disorder, GERD, CFS, and low back disorder are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, peptic ulcer, low back disorder, bilateral foot condition, sinus condition, and hypothyroidism due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate Recurrent with Anxious Distress and PTSD. The claims for CFS, hair loss, headaches, and skin disability are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied prior to March 8, 2012. From that date onwards, the Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have separate disabilities manifested by these conditions and thus could not establish service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including as due to a Gulf War illness, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic joint pain and gastrointestinal disorder (including diarrhea) are remanded for further examination and analysis.