Chronic fatigue syndrome Board decisions

The Veteran's fatigue and stomach disorder are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including broken teeth, migraine headaches, head injury, dislocated shoulder, hip arthritis, knee arthritis, nose and jaw injuries, diabetes mellitus, thyroid issues, lung problems, throat issues, breathing problems, allergies, gum bleeding, loss of smell/taste, sleep apnea, swallowing problems (dysphagia), blepharitis, ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders, fear of heights, memory problems, and insomnia are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology during service, and the VA examiners did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence shows that it more nearly approximates a disability picture manifested by forward flexion restricted to less than 60 degrees but not less than 30 degrees based on examination results first demonstrated in November 2009. The Veteran's earlier symptoms did not show findings of muscle spasm, guarding, abnormal mobility, abnormal spine contour, abnormal gait, incapacitating episodes, ankylosis or flexion limited to less than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's diagnosed lumbodorsal back disability, including shoulder and hip pain, is considered service-connected due to an undiagnosed illness associated with Gulf War service.,Ankle joint pain is also considered service-connected as an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have a left knee disorder, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The VA examiner's opinions in December 2010 concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his service-connected lumbar disc disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CFS and multiple joint pains have been denied as the initial rating was assigned in August 2003, which is not subject to appeal. The Board found that an initial 20 percent rating is warranted for the service-connected multiple joint pains.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's service dates and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic Lyme disease was incurred in, or caused by, her military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial evaluation of sarcoidosis and earlier effective dates for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis, and costochondritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a comprehensive VA examination and review of the record.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for all issues except possibly service connection on the merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a finding that his symptoms began during service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have migraine headaches, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome during service and could not establish a link between these conditions and his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring that the VA has considered her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, folliculitis, and sleep apnea as presumptively related to active duty in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's claims for skin rash, flu-like symptoms, weight gain/loss, and chronic fatigue are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are not deemed to be caused by VA medical treatment, as the evidence does not support a finding of carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on VA's part. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that these conditions were due to his own medication use.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are found to be due to known clinical diagnoses and not attributable to an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service.