Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2007

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection.

The veteran's service connection claims for a skin condition, chronic fatigue and diarrhea due to undiagnosed illnesses were granted. He was also awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from February 8, 2006.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polyarthritis, poor memory, and a sleep disorder due to undiagnosed illness. The claim for Hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability, depression, respiratory disability, or kidney/urinary disability that is related to her service in the Persian Gulf War or due to an undiagnosed illness. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for hypothyroidism and service connection for patello-femoral syndrome, right knee; sinusitis; sore joints (undiagnosed illness); cervical spine degenerative arthritis (undiagnosed illness); and edema (claimed as fluid retention in legs).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension with nosebleeds, chronic fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness, and headaches due to an undiagnosed illness. The reasons provided were that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or a link between them and military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tooth and gum disease, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hearing loss, hair loss, and joint pain were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness and chronic right knee strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The veteran's muscle and joint pain, neurologic signs and symptoms due to an undiagnosed illness are rated at 20 percent. Service connection for subtalar capsulitis and plantar fasciitis with pronation is granted.

The veteran's IBS is presumed to have been incurred in service and he is granted a 10 percent rating for this condition. The veteran's bilateral pes planus with Morton's neuroma is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum allowed under VA regulations. His right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's deviated septum and gingivitis are not service-connected.,Polyarthralgia is presumed to be an undiagnosed illness resulting from Gulf War service, but night sweats were not found. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was granted effective October 31, 2003.,The veteran's left nose scar residuals have a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by scrotal pain or fatigue, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough, headaches, fatigue, and joint pain have been partially granted due to presumed undiagnosed illness related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The veteran is still seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, weight gain and hair loss/skin disorder due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board found no credible evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD, and concluded that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding hypertension. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, GERD, chronic joint pain of all major joints, shortness of breath, bleeding gums, frequent diarrhea, or chronic headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected painful joints due to undiagnosed illness are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and no higher. The RO has determined that additional disability from pain does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran engaged in combat and whether his current symptoms are related to service, including PTSD and undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the specific evaluations and effective dates are not specified.,Some issues remain pending as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for arthralgia of multiple joints, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and acneiform dermatitis due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was denied for insomnia.,New evidence submitted since October 2001 supports these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected primary insomnia with fatigue, memory loss, anxiety, and irritability as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for further development.