Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and associated SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities and Gulf War illness. The cervical spine disability is linked to an in-service injury, while the right and left knee disabilities are not considered incurred due to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period of October 28, 2009 to February 4, 2013. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he was employed full-time throughout this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions due to exposure in Southwest Asia. The Veteran is seeking service connection for autoimmune disorder, left leg numbness, and skin rashes as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for pericarditis, muscle pain, and unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The claims are now remanded for further development including examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War illness and PTSD, as well as rating increases for various knee conditions. The Veteran was not provided proper due process prior to the discontinuance of his right knee osteoarthritis disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, asthma, and colorectal cancer (previously claimed as colon cancer), but these claims are remanded due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including eye pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability resulting from silica inhalation, hypercholesterolemia, tinea versicolor, and a condition claimed as Gulf War illness. The Veteran also had his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae dismissed.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness, manifested by fatigue and sleep disturbances, is granted service connection. The gastrointestinal condition issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted on a presumptive basis due to active service in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 70 percent, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a current diagnosis and an opinion regarding the relationship between service, including Gulf War exposure, and any respiratory disability, including asthma. The Veteran's contentions of undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including those from VA clinics not yet obtained. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, a skin condition due to an undiagnosed illness, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue, muscle, and joint pain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including right eye condition, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and liver condition all potentially related to service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,Service connection has not been granted for an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness due to exposures in the Gulf War.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War illness and colon cancer are being sent back for further development.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition secondary to residuals of fracture, right first cuneiform due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Board also denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD) and memory loss and lack of concentration associated with undiagnosed illness manifested by tension headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic fatigue syndrome and an undiagnosed illness was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions.