Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been granted. The Board found that the veteran experiences migraines three to five times per month, lasting from one to two days, and assigned a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gallstones, hair loss, bowel problems, sore gums, frequent gynecological infections, and respiratory disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or their relationship to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are considered, with some issues reopened and others not. The highest rating of 10% is assigned for tinnitus prior to June 10, 2000, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and ratings for various disabilities, including residuals of a right elbow injury, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, chronic right ankle sprain, low back pain, and pulmonary restrictive disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness and for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected chronic dermatitis of the gluteal buttock area.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lymphocytosis and undiagnosed illness manifested by hives, rashes, muscle pain and spasm are related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim is granted.