Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2023

The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, narcolepsy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and attributing his symptoms to other service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Veteran did not have tinnitus during his time in service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), male infertility, bilateral elbow disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to insufficient examination reports that do not address all relevant symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.655(b) apply.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion. The case will be returned for a new VA examination and medical opinion that complies with the holding in Stewart v. Wilkie, which requires an adequate rationale for any medical opinion rendered.

The Board has granted a TDIU based solely on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from May 14, 2015. Service connection for the lumbar spine disability is also granted. The rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with arthritis and hypertension are both granted at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in December 2018 was inadequate for addressing the Veteran's claim of Gulf War illness chronic fatigue and body pain. The case is being remanded to schedule a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination regarding his claimed conditions related to toxic exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back condition are granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypertension, testicle condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder has been reopened. The initial rating for PTSD was increased to 50% prior to January 27, 2023, and denied thereafter. A rating in excess of 10% is denied for the right wrist carpal navicular fracture. Service connection claims for OSA, CFS, and fibromyalgia are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development. The issue will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin disability, sleep apnea, and fatigue.

The petition to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for joint and muscle pain is denied.,The petition to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied.,The petition to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for reopening the claim of service connection for OSA. However, his claims for insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has remanded them due to insufficient evidence. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been remanded due to insufficient medical evaluations addressing all of his reported symptoms, including fatigue, lethargy, generalized muscle and joint pain, memory and concentration problems, and respiratory issues. The Board requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with DJD, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with lateral meniscus tear and degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his in-service misconduct.,The Veteran's claim for TBI residuals is remanded as there was no determination of whether he had an in-service TBI, and tinnitus, headaches, and fatigue may be related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his reported in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue is a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness related to exposure to environmental toxins during service in Southwest Asia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.