Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2000

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed illnesses manifested by rashes and headaches, as well as urticaria. The issues regarding an increased evaluation for chronic muscular strain of the cervical spine have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin rash and low back pain are due to undiagnosed illnesses during service.,Service connection for a right inguinal hernia was denied in October 1995, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support a service connection for PTSD, but not for bilateral elbow epicondylitis or the respiratory issues. The fatigue and tiredness claim are also deemed insufficient due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The veteran's asthma and reactive bronchitis are considered to have been incurred in service, while her respiratory symptoms due to undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War are well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of bilateral degenerative joint disease of the 1st metatarsal interphalangeal joints is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection for short-term memory loss, fatigue, forgetfulness, and sleep problems claimed to be due to an undiagnosed illness is also denied. The veteran's symptoms have been diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, rectal itching, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease with duodenitis and a skin condition as due to an undiagnosed illness. The issues are considered 'denied' in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disability, respiratory disability due to undiagnosed illness, and headaches due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims were reopened on new evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary or bladder disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is not well grounded. The claim for increased rating of cervical spine disability has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, residuals of a ruptured right eardrum, fatigue and memory loss claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded for the first two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims for service connection are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and residuals of pneumonia are not well grounded. The RO is directed to readjudicate these issues, along with the final three issues listed on the title page.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by encephalitis type symptoms is well-grounded and granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bronchial asthma is currently well-managed with inhalers, his headaches do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his conditions of hypothyroidism, irritable colon syndrome, rash due to an undiagnosed illness, and joint and bone pain due to an undiagnosed illness are not supported by evidence showing they are related to service or the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they are not well grounded and thus do not meet the criteria for compensation under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, allergies, throat and sinus disorder, and headaches due to undiagnosed illness. Service connection was granted for hyperactive airway disease with a rating of 10 percent effective May 31, 1994.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses and denied her claims for service connection.