Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for chronic sinusitis, asthma, and dermatitis. The appeal concerning pseudofolliculitis barbae has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claim. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by evidence, leading to denial in those cases.

The Veteran's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of CFS during any period of his claim.,Left ear and right ear hearing loss claims are granted.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's GERD and tension headaches are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of discharge.,Fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome were also not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and prostate cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The remaining claims for respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, headaches, muscle pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other cardiovascular symptoms are denied.

The Board has found that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurological disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and other disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of medical evidence showing a relationship with service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal condition and joint pain, claimed as due to Gulf War syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for an in-person examination. The Veteran's chronic fatigue is being reviewed again as it may be related to his service-connected prostate cancer or exposure to herbicides, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and Persian Gulf War Syndrome, to include GERD, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is also seeking higher ratings for his knee disabilities and an earlier effective date for SMC.,Separate ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are also being remanded as there is no clear separation in the records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder (to include irritable bowel syndrome), heart disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, as the cause of death (acute myocardial infraction) is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied, while his claims for anxiety, depression, and PTSD were granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including cardiovascular issues, neuropsychological symptoms, CFS or CFIDS, fibromyalgia, CMV and EBV, hypothyroidism, mycoplasma, headaches, pituitary dysfunction, deficiencies in hormones, hypercoagulation state, respiratory problems, and menstrual disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions were related to service.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection due to CFS or CFIDS were also denied.

The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's joint pain, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, and headaches are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to in-service exposure to environmental hazards or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's fatigue is due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to in-service TBI or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right hand wrist strain and left hand wrist strain are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's disability of the left hand fingers and disability of the right hand fingers are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service.,The RO combined the rating for residuals of concussion with PTSD. The Board finds that a separate rating for residuals of concussion should be considered in light of the Veteran's reported overuse injury and repetitive motion stemming from his service duties.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a survivor's special monthly pension and a survivor's pension since September 1, 2011 due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rates (MAPRs).,The appellant was found not in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to her home due to disabilities. Her countable income exceeded the MAPRs for the relevant periods.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's military exposure to noise and sun exposure. Service connection is granted based on presumptive service connection for CFS due to his Persian Gulf service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.