Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and related conditions are all granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The specific diagnoses of sleep apnea, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, heart disease, migraines, and foot disabilities are also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, granted service connection for a urinary tract disorder secondary to prostate cancer, and denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain disorder. The rating for erectile dysfunction remains unchanged.,For the right shoulder, low back, right knee, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities, the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pleurisy, pericarditis, chronic muscle fatigue, dermatitis, undifferentiated connective tissue, joint pain, and chronic fatigue are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to insufficient evidence in the VA medical opinion provided. The case requires further development, including obtaining an adequate VA medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD with AFIB and cardiomyopathy, hypertension, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, and chronic fatigue. The issues are related to the in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's intention tremors and drug-induced Parkinson's like tremors associated with his schizophrenia are granted a 30 percent rating, effective June 16, 2010. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, heat stroke (claimed as fatigue) is granted a 60 percent rating, effective September 8, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has chronic fatigue syndrome. The previous VA medical opinion did not adequately address the issues presented.

The Veteran's liver condition, respiratory problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, and generalized joint pain are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that they began during service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome and as an undiagnosed illness, based on the findings that the Veteran did not have chronic fatigue syndrome and that the symptom of chronic fatigue had been attributed to obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia.,The Board also denied service connection for muscle pain, claimed as an undiagnosed illness, based on the findings that the Veteran did not have fibromyalgia and that the symptom of muscle pain had been attributed to chronic lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis, cervical strain, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,For each issue, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition is related to service or caused by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder were granted a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran was denied compensable ratings for his migraine and tension headaches prior to June 19, 2019 and from June 19, 2019 to October 26, 2020. A 50 percent rating was granted for the period after October 26, 2020. The Veteran's service connection claims for CFS, OSA, and PLMSD were remanded.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Obesity is not considered a disease or injury for which service connection may be established.,Service connection for hypertension and fibromyalgia are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions, requiring further examination and analysis.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded as the claim was not addressed in detail previously.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending with additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to inadequate etiology opinions provided in October 2020. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, secure any relevant outstanding private treatment records, and undertake efforts to substantiate the Veteran's claim of being exposed to depleted uranium during active service. Addendum opinions are needed from an examiner who conducted the October 2020 examination for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a different examiner for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is related to her active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, asthma, and headaches.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 4, 2020.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was also not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent since February 4, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as there was no valid diagnosis of the condition and symptoms were not separate from her already service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia.