Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent bilateral eye disability (including cataracts) and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, rheumatoid arthritis, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rosacea, and depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The rating for tinea versicolor is set at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue and malaise, chronic renal insufficiency, hematuria, and fissured tongue were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses (MUCMI) that meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition or identified MUCMI during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's pes planus is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service.,Fibromyalgia symptoms are constant or nearly so, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 40 percent due to lack of refractory therapy.,Chronic Fatigue Syndrome claim is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, skin condition, and right shoulder condition due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and undergo new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf, as these diagnoses are unclear and conflicting medical opinions exist. The VA must obtain additional treatment records from the Veteran's VA facilities and private rheumatologist, Dr. Goodman.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was granted service connection as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it was incurred during his period of active duty.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied because there are no objective indications of a chronic disability and the symptoms have been attributed to other conditions with known etiologies.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinosinusitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for a heart condition and chronic fatigue syndrome were both denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for right arm numbness, right shoulder condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain and numbness, and hypertension have all been denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Specifically, there is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Veteran has provided statements indicating he experienced symptoms but did not provide sufficient objective medical evidence to support his claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and fatigue are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board granted service connection for these conditions, but denied the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, including symptoms of restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue, chronic joint pain, and chronic insomnia, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, breathing problems, and functional dyspepsia are remanded due to unclear medical opinions. Further clarification is needed regarding whether these conditions are separate disabilities or manifestations of his already service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic fatigue disability, to include undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, is denied. The Board found that his symptoms are attributable to known clinical diagnoses (thrombocytopenia and gout) rather than an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI. For the period of service-connected gout, a 60 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue with muscle aches, memory loss, and sleep disturbance have been denied.,The Veteran's GERD and PTSD initial rating claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the cases of right shoulder disability and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to have begun during active service, while his right shoulder and chronic fatigue syndrome claims are being further evaluated.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep apnea, related to his Persian Gulf service, have been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence that could reasonably substantiate the claims.