Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, headaches, skin condition, and gastrointestinal problems, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The diagnoses provided by VA medical providers indicated that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or general anxiety.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for undiagnosed illness manifested by diffuse myalgias, joint pains and tension headaches is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an undiagnosed disability manifested by symptoms involving his skin, and seborrheic dermatitis is not related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a special gastrointestinal examination in conformity with the guidelines for disability examinations in Gulf War Veterans. The veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint pains involving shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankle joints due to an undiagnosed illness and for increased rating for hypertensive heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on presumptive exposure to Gulf War operations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities is not sufficient to warrant a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a respiratory disability, skin condition, or hair loss related to his service in the Persian Gulf. The VA and private medical opinions do not support a finding of Gulf War Illness.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bipolar disorder, bronchial asthma, stomach problems, sleep disturbance, muscle and joint pain, weight loss, menstrual disorder, fatigue, headaches, and back pain are mixed. Some issues were granted while others were denied or not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory impairment, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and colon polyps due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's breast cancer.

The Board found no objective evidence of memory loss or joint pain in the hips, and denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his headaches do not meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other applicable laws, regulations, and VA guidance. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease and Gulf War Syndrome were denied. His claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD was also denied, but he received a retroactive 50 percent disability rating effective from December 12, 2001.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's service, including for his claimed back pain, depression, memory loss, and skin rash. The claims were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 21, 1993 or any date earlier than has been assigned for the grants of service-connected disability benefits. The veteran was granted service connection and increased ratings for various conditions but there is no evidence that a claim was submitted prior to April 30, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic respiratory disease and based on undiagnosed illness, finding no objective indications of a current disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness incurred in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.