Chronic fatigue syndrome Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue, as well as PTSD. The evidence does not show that the veteran manifests PTSD due to an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for anxiety neurosis. The claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic lung disease as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, hypotesticularosteopenia or loss of bone mass, a mid and upper back disorder, human adjuvant disease with peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected removal of the right testicle with testicular silicone implant; ulcers as secondary to medications prescribed for service-connected disability; and chronic fatigue syndrome are supported by cognizable evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is not supported by cognizable evidence showing it is plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran has chronic fatigue syndrome attributable to active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for memory loss, lack of concentration, elevated temperature, and depression due to undiagnosed illness is not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint disease, skin disease, scleroderma, Raynaud's Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), genetic damage with fragile X chromosome (FXC), a heart disorder, and defective hearing, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his service or inservice exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and service connection were denied. The appeals are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder (including chloracne) due to exposure to Agent Orange, a stomach condition, and a nervous condition. However, the claim of service connection for chronic back strain and chronic fatigue remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is well-grounded and grants this claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not well-grounded.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current chronic fatigue syndrome to his military service or reported continuity of post-service symptomatology.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss is not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,Although the veteran has reported asbestos exposure in service, there is no medical evidence of asbestosis or any asbestos-related disorder.,Respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,The veteran's claim for flu-like symptoms involving the sinuses is not well-grounded.,Muscle aches in thighs and lower legs are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for muscle aches resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Eye symptoms are not supported by medical evidence that would render plausible the claim concerning service connection for eye symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness.,Stomach symptoms are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Generalized joint pain and shaking are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Fatigue as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness is plausible, but the veteran has submitted some evidence supporting this claim.,The veteran's allegation of hearing loss related to an undiagnosed illness is not well-grounded.,Joint pain in ankles and hips are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.,Joint pain in thumbs, fingers of both hands, wrists, elbows are not well-grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking them to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and thus denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the left knee, head concussion residuals, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran was granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, both effective January 15, 1992. However, the RO found no clear and unmistakable error in prior decisions that did not address these claims.

The Board found that the veteran did not present competent evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and concluded that her claim was not well-grounded.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for restrictive lung disease, cervical spine disorder (including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The right shoulder disorder is not considered well-grounded due to lack of evidence. Dizziness was also found to be related to service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome to service, including exposure to herbicides or other incidents. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected chronic fatigue and weakness due to chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer is granted, with an evaluation of 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of lung cancer from May 1, 2005 is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.