Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The examiner will assess whether these symptoms are related to service or fall within the provisions for a disability resulting from service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, hypogonadism, and a pituitary condition. The conditions are all found to be related to active service or an incident of service, including undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and Gulf War exposure-related conditions. The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have started during service and are therefore granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have started during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by trembling and a respiratory disorder due to exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, finding that there is no current diagnosis of trembling and insufficient evidence linking the respiratory disorder to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and a VA examination if it is confirmed. The issues include seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and an undiagnosed illness manifested by a stomach condition and fatigue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including a thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and TBI residuals have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and an undiagnosed illness manifested by back pain, muscle spasms, and swelling joints are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is directly related to his service, while the undiagnosed illness is presumed due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's skin condition and undiagnosed illness symptoms are granted service connection. The skin condition is dermatitis, while the gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms are considered an undiagnosed illness.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness or a chronic multi-system illness related to his service in the Middle East. The evidence shows multiple diagnoses and symptoms, but no single diagnosis can be attributed to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to have had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain/fibromyalgia are not due to undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, but the Board finds that they may be related to her service-connected PTSD with MDD. The respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis) is also not due to undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth, right hand middle finger fracture, skin rash, and Gulf War syndrome (arthritis) as they are not considered compensable disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of hemorrhoids. His claimed hemorrhoids were previously diagnosed in 1998.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus was denied in the March 2010 rating decision. The claim for osteoporosis was also denied at that time. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling prior to May 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches have been granted. The initial disability rating for PTSD has also been increased to 100 percent effective March 7, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a sebaceous cyst on the left arm, finding that it is etiologically related to service.,The Board has also granted service connection for a disability manifested by muscle aches, finding that it is due to an undiagnosed illness and manifesting during Southwest Asia service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have and has never had any diagnosed conditions of brucellosis, CFS, or IBS. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Veteran's in-service complaints were attributed to mechanical back pain, mild intermittent constipation, gastroenteritis, and other known etiologies.