Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, finding that it had its onset in service. The claim for an undiagnosed illness of the skin is denied as there are no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an illness or combination of illnesses manifested by signs or symptoms such as those listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, an increased rating for PTSD, and a compensable initial rating for myofascial headaches.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and fatigue, lack of strength, weight loss, and sleep loss as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness are denied due to the current evidence not showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected fatigue due to undiagnosed illness does not warrant a schedular rating higher than 60 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The veteran is currently rated at 60 percent disability.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and undiagnosed illness due to lack of medical evidence supporting these claims. The veteran's hypertension was not shown to be aggravated by his active duty, and there is no diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for undiagnosed illness was also denied as the symptoms were attributed to diagnosed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus disorder, including due to an undiagnosed illness, as there were no current indications of such a condition and the evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking fibromyalgia or any disability to service, including service in the Persian Gulf. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to various conditions and injuries during his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and neurological, respiratory, eye, and gum disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War period.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and an undiagnosed illness, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not manifest during active service or due to exposure in Southwest Asia. The preponderance of evidence indicated that the current conditions were related to known clinical diagnoses.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a respiratory disorder and an increased rating for his right foot disability, finding that he did not have a diagnosed respiratory condition due to service in the Gulf War and that his current right foot impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a chronic respiratory disorder, including due to an undiagnosed illness, related to his military service and denies service connection for such condition.

The veteran's service connection claim for joint and muscle pain due to undiagnosed illness during his Persian Gulf War service is granted.

The RO reduced the veteran's disability rating for headaches from 30 percent to noncompensable and severed service connection for memory loss. The veteran is not entitled to restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for headaches, but service connection for memory loss was properly severed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a left heel fracture, major depressive disorder and PTSD, foot fungus, gastrointestinal disorder due to an undiagnosed illness, sleeplessness due to an undiagnosed illness, headaches due to an undiagnosed illness, and hair loss and acne lesions of the face due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and a cardiac disorder, finding that neither condition was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic-asthmatic bronchitis/restrictive defect, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service directly or due to an undiagnosed illness.