Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a fatigue-related disability, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing tinnitus and that the Veteran’s symptoms were better explained by his pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's fatigue, intestinal disorder, and GERD have been granted service connection as due to undiagnosed illnesses experienced during his Gulf War service.,A total (100%) rating for depressive disorder NOS has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisystem illness with symptoms of fatigue and sleep disturbance due to lack of evidence showing a known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are granted service connection.,Service connection for fatigue disability, vesicular dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, joint pain, and muscle pain is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's Gulf War Syndrome and related psychiatric condition have been granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to the former. The case is remanded for further consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's headaches and hypertension are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty, nor are they linked to his Gulf War service or PTSD.,His lower back disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was present in service or within the presumptive period for undiagnosed illnesses. The Veteran's current IBS is also not service-connected as there is no link between his active duty and this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for herpes zoster oticus and Gulf War syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CIDP, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by abnormal weight loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, undiagnosed illness with chronic diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome), tinnitus, and hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for an earlier effective date for left shoulder degenerative joint disease.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating prior to March 18, 2016, and from May 1, 2016, for his service-connected left foot strain is remanded.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his service-connected left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness) secondary to his service-connected right and left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness) secondary to his service-connected right and left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion and a need for a new examination. The Veteran's digestive disorder, claimed as IBS and chronic diarrhea, is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of attempts to obtain Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's heart condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability, due to a lack of clarity in the VA medical opinion provided. The Veteran's attorney submitted two articles that suggest an association between sleep apnea and psychiatric disabilities, which needs further clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as residuals of a left knee replacement. The claims for hypertension, headaches, bruxism, TMJ disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist arthralgia, bilateral elbow disability, cervical spine disability, and gastrointestinal disability (IBS), due to undiagnosed illness.,These matters are being returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle spasms, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.