Chronic fatigue syndrome Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have persisted for more than six months and are likely due to an undiagnosed illness during his Southwest Asia service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a chronic headache disability as secondary to service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran's representative submitted additional argument and medical articles. The Board requested addendum opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder pain, elbow and wrist swelling, toe numbness, leg numbness, jaw joint pain, hip joint swelling, knee and ankle pain, bilateral pes planus, foot bunions, rib fracture discomfort, hand weakness, left hand swelling, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, fatigue, pharyngitis, allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart condition, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal problems, GERD, kidney disorder, lipoma, obesity, arm numbness and pain, and finger numbness. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's TBI claim is also denied as there was no in-service head injury or related condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, granulomatous lung disease and service connection for testosterone disorder are granted with effective dates of July 12, 2017. Service connection for GERD is denied. The Veteran's skin conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue with insomnia, neurological symptoms, and a respiratory condition due to an undiagnosed illness. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology, including whether it is at least likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to the effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including IVDS, angina, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis is granted due to exposure in the Persian Gulf. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and cervical spine disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions and obtaining treatment records from a private facility. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is being evaluated in light of these new pieces of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the heart disorder and respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypothyroidism due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his military service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic fatigue syndrome prior to January 22, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show his symptoms restricted his daily activities to less than 50% of pre-illness level or resulted in periods of incapacitation lasting at least four but less than six weeks per year. For TDIU prior to January 22, 2018, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted as service connected. The secondary service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, osteopenia of the left femoral neck, osteopenia of the lumbar spine, colon surgery, appendectomy, left lapingo-oophroectomy, hysterectomy, and infertility are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain as separate disabilities due to the presence of a known diagnosis (fibromyalgia) that already receives compensation.,Service connection was granted for dermatitis based on objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability related to Persian Gulf service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for chronic fatigue with dizziness due to medically unexplained multi-symptom illness and a higher disability evaluation for headaches. The issues are related as they involve overlapping disabilities, and further development is needed to address the nature and severity of these conditions over the relevant periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation, nor is there continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiners found no evidence to support a diagnosis of CFS and noted that the Veteran's fatigue symptoms were more likely related to his pre-existing conditions such as OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of chronic fatigue syndrome and cerebral aneurysm for further development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new examinations by qualified medical professionals.

The Veteran's asthma and functional dyspepsia have been granted presumptive service connection. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the other issues.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating consideration.