Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection claims for manifestations of an undiagnosed illness and asbestosis (lung condition) have been granted.

The Veteran's joint pain is not service-connected as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, and it is not secondary to her service-connected menstrual disorder, status post hysterectomy and trachelectomy, or anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claimed headaches, memory and concentration problems, and muscle aches and pains are not related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports and need for additional evidence. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining all relevant records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for allergies and Gulf War Syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and diffuse body, muscle, and joint pain under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as presumptive disabilities related to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, and reactive airway disease due to undiagnosed illness, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 25, 1999. Effective April 25, 1999, the Veteran was found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for undiagnosed illness involving multiple symptoms is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements of in-service noise exposure are credible. The heart disorder claim is remanded as new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if it was incurred during service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's lung/pulmonary/respiratory condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his Gulf War service. His right ankle disability remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for headaches due to undiagnosed illness and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% disabling since June 25, 2008 and the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for body fatigue, weakness and pain due to an undiagnosed illness, bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric disorder (including dementia and depression), and cardiovascular disease (including status post myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records and ensure all development actions have been conducted.

The Board has denied service connection for fatigue, finding no objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability. The claim of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the validity of the October 2016 VA examination results.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for bronchitis was denied due to lack of medical evidence showing the condition was related to service or an undiagnosed illness, and his claim for chronic sinusitis was denied due to lack of medical evidence showing the condition was related to service or an undiagnosed illness.,The VA audiological examination in April 2012 found no hearing loss disability under VA standards. The Veteran's tinnitus was attributed to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder and kidney disorders as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability occurring in a Persian Gulf Veteran. The Veteran's gastritis, right knee instability, limitation of flexion, and post-total knee replacement have been rated at the maximum available benefit.

The Veteran's heart condition is not service connected due to lack of a chronic disease manifestation within one year post-service. The Board finds that the current diagnosed valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation are less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness. For fatigue and sleep disturbance, there is no separate diagnosis but they are associated with undiagnosed illnesses due to environmental exposures.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Board finds the Veteran entitled to at least a 70 percent rating for his PTSD.