Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for herpes zoster oticus and Gulf War syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his time in the Army Reserves.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and memory loss (undiagnosed illness) have been reopened. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hip disabilities, knee disabilities, foot disabilities, and thyroid disability are not granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.

Service connection for headaches and bilateral upper extremity paresthesia has been granted.,The claim for diffuse musculoskeletal pain is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia is considered, but a more comprehensive VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the neurological disability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including head condition, sleep disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastritis, cervical spine disability, numbness of upper extremities, knee disabilities, dizziness, arm disabilities, and skin condition. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches. The other claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is sought for fibromyalgia, generalized muscle weakness and aching (due to an undiagnosed illness), and respiratory disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness). Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg shin splints, a left wrist condition, and an undiagnosed illness were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for a new one examining fatigue as part of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radicular pain or paresthesia, as well as his neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), are considered secondary to his low back disability. The Veteran is currently rated at the minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain. The claim for hormonal imbalance to include low testosterone with residuals of fatigue and muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is also granted.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach/gastrointestinal, skin, and dental disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue, muscle and joint pain is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent. The Board finds no legal basis to award a higher schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal, right hip, and low back disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any such disabilities began during service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (persistent rashes) is denied due to lack of documented in-service treatment and the absence of a chronic condition requiring a shaving profile.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chest pain, nerve twitching, stomach cramps, and left ankle disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for these conditions.,Service connection has also been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's respiratory condition is not a qualifying chronic disability for which service connection may be granted under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, and therefore the claim for service connection has been denied.

The case is being remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's fibromyalgia and its relation to service.

The Veteran's reactive airway disease with episodic bronchoconstriction is granted as service connected, and the Board finds that it cannot be reasonably disassociated from his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (PTSD) is granted as service-connected. The skin, hemorrhoids, and undiagnosed illness claims are remanded for further evaluation.