Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2016

The Veteran's headaches and fatigue/sleep disturbance are found to be secondary to an undiagnosed illness, while the right knee condition is granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle twitching/spasms, pain, and weakness (claimed as fibromyalgia) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants his appeal for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available evaluation of 70 percent.,The Veteran's fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and pains, tingling of limbs, poor concentration, mood and sleep disorder, respiratory condition, low grade fevers, and boils are considered to be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to his Gulf War service.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating for the period from March 1, 2010 to October 28, 2010 due to treatment for service-connected status post left ankle arthrodesis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for urinary voiding dysfunction due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's reported knee pain, right lower rib pain, and sleep disturbance. The appeal will be returned to the Board only if service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbance, and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection. The bilateral foot disorder has not.,Service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions is established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea, also claimed as insomnia due to undiagnosed illness), including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. However, these claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis, distal esophagitis, and esophageal spasm, is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's joint and muscle pain is found to be due to an undiagnosed illness that manifested during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims include reopening the service connection for undiagnosed illness, separate ratings for erectile dysfunction and bladder/bowel impairment, as well as seeking service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for cysts on the lung, fibromyalgia, and vision problems (claimed as undiagnosed illness due to anthrax vaccine) were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of undiagnosed illness or lupus, and that his bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities were not caused by VA treatment.