Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, major depression, memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness, and skin rash due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence received since the September 2004 decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for clarification of his hearing request. The issues related to service connection and reentrance into a rehabilitation program are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to incomplete review of VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, including his symptoms of heat flashes and rapid heart rate, have not resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, workers' compensation records, and VA treatment records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and thyroid condition will be evaluated based on their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for histoplasmosis of lung and service connection for multiple joint pains have been denied as there is no credible evidence of active, chronic pulmonary mycosis or a link to the claimed undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability and no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses include chronic headaches, bilateral inguinal hernia with nerve damage, prostate disorder, digestive disorder (undiagnosed illness), and skin disorder (undiagnosed illness).

The Veteran's loss of consciousness episode is not service-connected, but his PTSD warrants a 30 percent initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with hypothyroidism, fatigue as due to an undiagnosed illness, and joint pain. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for joint pain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral spine injury residuals, head injury residuals, and hypertension. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion, chronic fatigue, and right shoulder pain have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable initial disability rating for his left wrist surgery residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address her claims for service connection for vertigo and chronic maxillary sinus disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for left testicular orchalgia and service connection for loss of feeling in both arms, as secondary to undiagnosed illnesses. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative changes are found to be due to disease or injury incurred in service. The cervical spine disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and headache disorder are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a stomach condition and/or bowel and intestinal disorder, as well as a skin condition, are denied because there is no affirmative evidence that these conditions were incurred during active military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service records and any relevant medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after this review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf and obtaining his Navy reserve records. The PTSD claim will be adjudicated based on whether the claimed stressors are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's right hip pain is attributed to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's photophobia is considered a symptom of an undiagnosed illness incurred during active military service.