Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional VA treatment records being added to the record since July 2020. The RO is instructed to issue a new SSOC that addresses this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was reopened and granted.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome as secondary to lumbar strain, but not for shortness of breath.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue, to include as due to Gulf War service. The Veteran is being requested to provide additional evidence or clarification regarding his claims.

The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for a dental condition is granted. The appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea are dismissed. The claims for service connection for anxiety, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal disorder, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding chronic fatigue syndrome and its relation to service, specifically Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for depression, feet problems (gout), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 1992 rating decision. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, and fibromyalgia (claimed as weakened stability in upper and lower extremities and painful joints). The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn on the record for several issues, including a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for atrial fibrillation and service connection for Gulf War Syndrome.,Service connection for CFS and fibromyalgia were denied as there is no currently diagnosed disability that meets the criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected stomach disability is granted secondary to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability is denied prior to April 27, 2019. From that date onwards, a 30 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's thoracic strain, headaches, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left hand disability, right hand disability, and left knee disability are granted. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, and heart disability (BAV disease) are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide a new opinion based on specific criteria for diagnosing CFS.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for right knee tendonitis, and initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for left knee tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence and lack of a clear determination on these issues.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome as they were granted in a previous decision.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no present diagnosis and his symptoms were attributable to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The claims for increased PTSD evaluation prior to August 5, 2019 and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

Service connection for fibromyalgia and a bilateral hand disability, to include a skin disability on the hands have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied, while his claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) related to Gulf War service is granted.

The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as secondary to the service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection for pemphigus vulgaris is granted on a direct basis due to continuous symptoms since service.,Right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and dizziness are all granted based on relative equipoise of evidence.,Heart disorder (claimed as a heart condition) is granted secondary to the service-connected pemphigus vulgaris.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted due to qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf criteria.,Irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye with distorted vision are both granted on a direct basis, while dry mouth is granted as a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions on aggravation or secondary service connection. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is already service connected.