Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cardiovascular condition claimed as hypertension and migraine due to unclear factual premises in previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and Joint Pain (including Fibromyalgia) due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), sinusitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and claimed exposures in Beirut, Lebanon. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 4, 2010 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance (SMC(l)) due to lack of evidence indicating loss of use of both feet or lower extremities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. An effective date of February 18, 2016 was established for the grant of a 10 percent rating for ethmoid sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability (cellulitis and abscesses) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened, and the reduction of his peptic ulcer disease rating from 60% to 20% is restored. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on the merits is remanded due to new evidence showing chronic back pain since discharge. Other claims are also remanded for VA examinations and opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for breathing, respiratory illness, headaches, nausea, and CFS. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to exposure to environmental contaminants associated with Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and to determine if he currently has or had a disability manifested by joint pain or chronic fatigue, and whether such disabilities are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's ear condition. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted, but service connection for a bilateral ear condition remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The AOJ should clarify whether the Veteran wishes to pursue a claim for benefits related to glioblastoma, and further examination is needed for his psychiatric disability, OSA, left knee disorder, bilateral hand complaints, and CFS.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been denied, as his reports are linked to sleep apnea and a service-connected psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's neck disability (cervical spondylosis with myelopathy) is considered service connected.,The Veteran's radiculopathies of the upper extremities are also considered service connected.,New and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, which is granted in part.,Other claims remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Veteran's death was caused by stage IV colorectal cancer, but the claims for service connection are remanded due to pending unresolved issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome as secondary to service-connected conditions were denied. The claim for fibromyalgia was granted.,Chronic fatigue syndrome was not established.

An initial rating of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted for the period from June 27, 2017 to October 1, 2019. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and tinnitus are both granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to perform personal care tasks.