Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various conditions, including right and left shin splints, a low back disorder, a cervical spine disorder, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected PTSD. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for a left elbow disability, right knee disability, chronic headaches, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by headaches and joint pain, as well as the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension, was related to his service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome due to an undiagnosed illness, and vascular dementia. These conditions are all considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection is established based on direct evidence of a link between the current condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was not related to service and denied.,Sleep apnea and GERD were both found to be due to undiagnosed illnesses associated with the Gulf War, but as these conditions are presumed, no rating is assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to decide.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and/or as due to an undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, thus he is not eligible for service connection based on a presumptive basis. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no competent medical evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and other issues were denied. The decision does not address the specific conditions or theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus-like syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus like syndrome. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD prior to April 2, 2012, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, finding that his mild, episodic headaches were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee condition and jaw disability had their onset during service, granting service connection for these conditions.,However, there is no evidence of a left elbow disability in service or since service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left elbow disability.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses is denied as the VA did not provide prior authorization and he had private health insurance covering his treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue has not resulted in periods of incapacitation or symptoms requiring continuous medications for control.,The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by headaches does not result in characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's current skin conditions were not present in service or until many years thereafter and are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness, rated as fibromyalgia, is currently evaluated at 40 percent and has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The issues of service connection for an undiagnosed illness and an acquired psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.