Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, foot disability, hearing loss, and eye disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any undiagnosed illness found to be present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for sores on both sides of the feet. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen all other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complaints of joint pain and neurologic symptoms are due to an undiagnosed illness, which is service-connected under VA regulations for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fatigue, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's joint swelling and fatigue did not meet the criteria for service connection, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or a known clinical diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney disability and an undiagnosed illness condition due to lack of qualifying service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss, and acid reflux disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding his employability.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain VA clinical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, as well as readjudicate the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, chills/fever, and tiredness have been denied. However, the Veteran has established service connection for atypical chest pain as an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease. However, the right shoulder, right knee, and bilateral elbow disorders were not found to be related to service.,The arthralgias and myalgias (consisting of ankle pain) were determined not to be due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and verify the nature of his Army Reserve service. He is also required to undergo a VA examination to address his claims under the theory of an undiagnosed illness.