Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected fatigue due to undiagnosed illness is currently rated at 10 percent effective September 30, 2013. The rating reflects symptoms that are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25% of the pre-illness level.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection claims for various health problems. The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing to address these matters.

The Veteran's fatigue, joint swelling, and chronic joint pain are presumed to have been incurred during his service in the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's symptoms of general pain, urinary pain, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to an undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptoms illness. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's complaints of chronic chest pain and cough and congestion have not been linked to service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's burn scars are rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches have been increased to 30 percent. The Board denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical or lumbar spine disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as his disabilities are not related to his period of active military service, including assumed chemical and environmental exposures during his Persian Gulf service.

The Veteran's shortness of breath and fatigue are presumed to be due to his service in the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case on all issues related to his claims, including an increased rating for athlete's foot and reopening previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Buffalo, VAMC for further clarification regarding his claim of entitlement to a clothing allowance. The issue will be reconsidered in light of new medical evidence and specific identification of outer garments damaged by prescribed medications.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders, as well as his migraine headaches and stomach disorder (Barrett's Esophagus with Gastritis and Esophagitis), are considered to be due to undiagnosed illnesses or other qualifying chronic disabilities related to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.,The Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, which includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and airspace above these locations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for molluscum contagiosum and headaches, finding new and material evidence. The skin disability is found to be related to active duty service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from service in the Persian Gulf War. Headaches are found to be aggravated by a pre-existing condition (fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint pain, OSA, headaches, neck disability and right knee disability were denied as they are not related to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's headaches due to undiagnosed illness are rated at 30 percent prior to February 23, 2009, and at 50 percent beginning February 23, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's loss of smell did not manifest during service and is not related to his service. The claim for a disability due to undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses manifested by severe body and joint pain, fatigue, restlessness, and shortness of breath was remanded.

The Board has determined that the service connection for undiagnosed illness with low back pain was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus it is restored. The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar disc disease remains pending as does his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of service connection for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and rashes and slow healing sores due to an undiagnosed illness (also claimed as a skin condition) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed Gulf War Syndrome and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination in accordance with the Persian Gulf protocol guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference, and further development is needed before the case can be considered.