Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome. The examiner did not consider all possible diagnoses and did not provide a comprehensive rationale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, including CFS, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, numbness in extremities, and a skin rash. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The reduction in the rating for chronic fatigue syndrome from 60 percent to noncompensable effective June 1, 2021, was not proper and therefore, the 60 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as the Veteran did not file a proper request for review within one year of the April 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and hand/knee disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment supporting these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, rhinitis, and acne rosacea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not supported by the medical records provided during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, bilateral hip conditions, and left hand condition.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disability, sinusitis, and CFS has been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for CFS is July 18, 2019. A TDIU issue prior to this date is moot due to the concurrent grant of a 100% rating for CFS.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, right hip condition, and low back condition have been granted. The claim for respiratory condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence, and the claim for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea with secondary chronic fatigue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, CFS, and lumbar spine DDD due to a duty to assist error regarding an emergency room visit in September 2020. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for rectal disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no current disability. The claim for fibromyalgia is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.,The Veteran's back condition claims (right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder) are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS were evaluated, with the Board finding that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition. The case was remanded for further evaluation of sleep apnea, ED, and CFS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of her CFS, and she is granted service connection for this secondary condition. Her PTSD is also found not to warrant a disability rating in excess of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. She is granted TDIU based on her PTSD.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, requiring readjudication. The Veteran's fatigue is not considered a disability for which service connection benefits may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder and/or panic attacks is dismissed. The right shoulder disability has been granted a rating of 30%. Other issues have been remanded.