Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2005

The veteran's symptoms of fatigue, loss of energy, joint discomfort (neck, low back, right shoulder), memory loss, headaches, anxiety, fevers, skin rash, boils, and disability secondary to reaction to chemicals are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their causation by an undiagnosed illness. Service connection is granted for neck, back, and right shoulder discomfort as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a rash on the left arm, sores of skin (chest, shoulders, and back), and memory loss were denied as these conditions are not related to his active military service or undiagnosed illness in the Gulf War.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is manifested by episodic but not constant pain and stiffness in his hands, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress. The tinea pedis with onychomycosis of the feet was also noted, with a combined area exposed for both feet being 5%.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for myofascial pain due to undiagnosed illness was granted, with a rating of 10 percent and effective June 30, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia (claimed as due to Gulf War service) and hemorrhoids, finding no evidence of these conditions in service records or competent medical opinion linking them to service.,Service connection was also denied for a depressive disorder with an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for 'Gulf War Syndrome', but the claim is denied as a matter of law because it does not reference a specific disability.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is granted with a rating of 40 percent, while his sinusitis and dermatological conditions are denied. The veteran's sleep apnea and obstructive lung disease were not found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss and chronic fatigue due to undiagnosed illnesses, but granted service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy as it is presumed to have started during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthma cannot be service-connected due to a known clinical diagnosis. The claims for chronic undiagnosed illnesses were denied as there was no evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that scleroderma was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the disability manifested by painful joints and fatigue and/or nausea is not related to service or undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's chronic fatigue disability is presumed to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The right hip disability has not been attributed to any specific injury or condition during service.,Service connection for the right hip disability is granted on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or an undiagnosed illness manifested by mood swings, insomnia, memory loss, fatigue, or nervousness as a result of his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to missing VA treatment records from 1993-1995, which may affect the veteran's cause of death claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for generalized joint pain, tremor of the hands and tingling and numbness of both thighs, and mitral valve prolapse. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left elbow disabilities, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to military service.

The veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 30 percent, and his arthralgias and myalgias are rated at 10 percent. Both conditions have been granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's undiagnosed illnesses, manifested by fatigue and headaches and nausea, do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under the applicable schedular criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bleeding in the stomach, subdural hematoma (claimed as hematosis), and wrist, ankle, neck, elbow, and knee disorders were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for fatigue and headaches.

The Board has vacated the previous denial of service connection for a low back disorder due to an incomplete evidentiary record. The veteran's carotidynia and variously diagnosed respiratory disorders are not shown to be related to his military service, while his low back disorder is not shown to have been manifested in service or related to service.