Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for mechanical low back pain is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis, severe limitation of motion, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc disease.,The veteran's claim for a higher rating for undiagnosed illness, manifested by fatigue and headaches, is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for very frequent prostrating attacks or debilitating fatigue.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions arising from his Gulf War service, including 'high sulfur intake,' 'reaction to botulism injection,' and 'Gulf War Syndrome.' However, the claim is denied as a matter of law because it does not reference a specific disability per se.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder claimed as stiff joints, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The other issues on appeal are in a pending status.

The veteran is seeking service connection for undiagnosed illnesses manifested by a chronic skin condition, digestive condition, and atypical chest pain based on his Persian Gulf War service. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for avascular necrosis of multiple joints, finding it was proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (IBS). The other issues were not addressed as they are related to different conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and miliaria rubra, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure and for an undiagnosed illness manifested by fluctuating weight loss, joint/muscle complaints, hepatitis, rickettsia, leishmania or chronic viral infections. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sun damaged skin and chronic dermatitis of the hands and feet, claimed as undiagnosed illness; residuals of posttraumatic lumbar syndrome and bilateral sacralization of L5; and Hepatitis A. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the RO did not provide a decision on service connection for a back disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was granted for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as incurred due to active service, but denied service connection for liver and respiratory disorders as not related to undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed kidney disorder or other undiagnosed illness manifested by trouble concentrating, and thus service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, with no new evidence provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for irritable throat and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, but the veteran's other claims remain unresolved.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for intermittent fatigue and respiratory infections with sinusitis are not supported by competent evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a corneal abrasion of the right eye and chronic fatigue syndrome. The knee pain was found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but other issues were not supported by evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from the Army Reserve and VA treatment records, as well as clarifying details about stressors during service. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has any disability attributable to fatigue or shortness of breath.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical arthritis, left knee disability (arthritis), short-term memory loss, and rashes and sores (folliculitis).,There is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board found that any current disabilities are not related to service.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of lumbosacral strain. The veteran was awarded a noncompensable evaluation for his ganglion cyst and a 10% evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome from November 3, 1995 to March 7, 2004, and a 20% evaluation thereafter. His claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including reopening service connection claims and addressing his right thumb disability.