Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and unclear assertions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or clarification regarding his claims.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for back disability. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and undiagnosed illness or MUCMI have been remanded due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness, chronic fatigue, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed respiratory condition. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mycoplasma infection was denied. His claim for service connection for an undiagnosed Gulf War illness (manifestations of chronic fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep problems, subjective cognitive impairment, and orthostatic-related symptoms manifested by postural dizziness) was granted.

The Veteran's claims for nosebleeds, stomach condition (gastritis), and headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection remains denied as there is no established chronic disability related to these conditions.,Service connection for left leg fracture was not granted in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems, chest pain, migraine headaches, fatigue, and stomach issues are denied. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms constitute a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness or fibromyalgia, and if so, whether they are related to Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA is caused or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness with symptoms of fatigue due to Gulf War hazards. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (also claimed as anxiety and depression), a muscle disability to include as due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness, and a left leg condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of such condition. The appeal was remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic fatigue is denied due to lack of qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 30 percent for the undiagnosed illness manifested by headaches and dizziness is granted, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not indicate a compensable degree of disability within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied because his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder bursitis with osteoarthritis is granted. The claim for neurological signs and symptoms, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, remains denied.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is found to be a manifestation of Gulf War Illness, incurred as a result of environmental exposures during his service in the Persian Gulf. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a heart disorder or related symptomatology attributable to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder, but denied the rest of the claims due to lack of medical evidence linking the conditions to his active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including muscle pain due to an undiagnosed disorder, left Achilles sprain, chronic fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, neuropsychological symptoms, headaches, neurological condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded for further evaluation.