Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include ulcers, a chronic allergic disorder, and a chronic skin disorder to include a rash claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran seeks service connection for a chronic foot disorder, to include pes planus with calluses and/or joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO has already assigned the maximum available rating (10%) for tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and an increased evaluation for generalized myalgias and sleep disturbance due to an undiagnosed illness were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, there was no credible supporting evidence of a claimed in-service stressor, and his service-connected disability has not been shown to be manifested by nearly constant symptoms which are refractory to therapy.

The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and respiratory disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, but are presumed to have been caused by an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his service. The claims for right knee, ankle, sinus headaches, low back, undiagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral elbow pain, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral wrist pain, and bilateral hand pain are all denied.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for a musculoskeletal disorder resulting from an undiagnosed illness was proper based on improvement in symptoms.

The Board finds that the veteran's fungal infection/skin rash and low-grade infections are related to service, while his undiagnosed illness manifested by skin rash is presumed due to Gulf War service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a sleep disorder, and a bladder disorder due to an undiagnosed illness. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a cardiovascular disorder was also denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's current right knee disorder is etiologically related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left lung disability, finding no current disability and rejecting both direct service connection and claims based on an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and development of the claims file to determine if the veteran's psychiatric disorder and undiagnosed illness are related to service, including Gulf War Syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while the claim for increased rating for bilateral pes cavus was granted with a 30% rating. The remaining issues related to multiple joint pains due to an undiagnosed illness and lower back condition were also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis for a higher rating or to reopen the claim of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability claimed as right-sided numbness, including as due to undiagnosed illness, which is related to his service.

The Board found no evidence of a right index finger injury in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a scar on the back of his left leg, hepatitis, hearing loss, poor blood circulation, night sweats, and fatigue, were all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an undiagnosed illness and increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The veteran was not granted any of the requested benefits.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for additional development due to the complexity of the issues and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.