Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Gulf War examination to evaluate the Veteran's sleep disturbances and determine if they are related to service, including possible undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and the weight of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's left shoulder labral tear is denied as there is no credible medical evidence or opinions linking the condition to active service. The examiner opined that the injury was more likely than not a recent injury, not caused many years prior by active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear is denied for similar reasons: lack of in-service injury and insufficient medical evidence connecting it to active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent as the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.,The Veteran's gastro-intestinal undiagnosed illness is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory symptoms, specifically rhinorrhea. Additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lung lesions, with chronic cough and brain lesions have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran’s undiagnosed illness manifested by skin disorder and headaches. However, these issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted service connection with an effective date of March 21, 1996. The Board also found that the Veteran has other disabilities for which he is already receiving service connection.,Service connection was established for sleep apnea and major depressive disorder.

Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is granted as of March 31, 2010.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development. The claims of service connection for diarrhea, forgetfulness, sleep problems and fatigue are also remanded.

The Veteran's diffuse aquagenic pruritus and sarcoidosis have been granted service connection. The bilateral shoulder, right knee, and uveitis conditions are denied as not related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, also claimed as migraines and PTSD. The Veteran was remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his left knee disability and back disability.,The Veteran's unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, also claimed as undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability. The Veteran is also not entitled to new and material evidence for his OSA claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for final decision and requires additional development, specifically scheduling an informal conference with a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn's Disease), and bilateral hand numbness, all of which he contends are related to his Gulf War exposure.,Service connection has been remanded for the Veteran's claims of chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hand numbness.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, finding no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness during service. The Veteran is already service connected for other conditions and the claim was not based on presumptive exposure to Gulf War syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has remanded two issues related to undiagnosed illnesses affecting the Veteran's hands and wrists. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions, which are currently rated as 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, Gulf War Syndrome, and mental disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic constipation is granted. The initial ratings for cervical spine DDD, erosive reflux esophagitis, and PTSD/MDD are denied.

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their relationship to service, including Gulf War environmental exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include undiagnosed illness, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment (claimed as blindness), sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for swollen joints, headaches, fatigue, night sweats, and Gulf War Syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions.