Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and that symptoms are consistent with other diagnosed disabilities. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions, as well as issues with notice and representation. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities allegedly related to in-service exposure to environmental contaminants at Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain any outstanding treatment records and to request new VA opinions.

The Board denied service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) on the grounds that there was no clear and unmistakable error in their decision. The Veteran's claim was based on a diagnosis of CFS, but the Board found that the evidence did not support such a diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irregular menses and chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Persian Gulf) have been reopened. The claim for service connection for irregular menses is granted, while the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no separate diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as emphysema, COPD, and recurrent pneumonia) are remanded due to insufficient clarification on whether he continues to experience recurrent pneumonia past 2009 and whether his diagnosed conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, right leg and left leg are remanded as the VA examiner did not address the relationship between cold weather exposure and restless leg syndrome.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left eye retinal pigment epithelium mottling, para retinal telangiectasia is remanded due to a lack of Goldmann visual field chart from his September 2009 VA examination and the need for clarification on whether bilateral dermatochalasis and bilateral cataracts are symptoms or separate diagnoses proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left eye condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The cases for skin disorder and chronic fatigue are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection as it began within one year of separation from active duty. However, the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis and his symptoms are attributed to other conditions.

The Veteran's skin condition is denied as it cannot be service-connected based on an undiagnosed or unexplained multi-symptom illness theory of entitlement.,Service connection for a chronic multi-symptom Gulf War illness, manifested by chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic joint pain, is granted.,Service connection for a chronic multi-symptom Gulf War illness, manifested by chronic joint pain, is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and insomnia disorder, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue as a result of the Veteran's service-connected bladder and prostate cancers, Type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of CFS, and his symptoms are attributable to other conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there were no objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability and that he did not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition manifested by fatigue and hyperhidrosis (night sweats), and a headache condition have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,Service connection cannot be established as an undiagnosed illness or unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate examination findings and missing private treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability, headaches, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left eye disability, and right eye disability. Additionally, an updated VA examination is needed for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and his fatigue symptoms are attributed to known diagnosed conditions, including PTSD and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, CFS, fibromyalgia, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.