Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue, memory problems, and joint pain of the left shoulder, bilateral elbows, and hips have all been denied as they are not due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.,Service connection has only been granted for obstructive sleep apnea, which is attributed to chronic fatigue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue and an undiagnosed illness, finding that his symptoms are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current respiratory condition and his military service.

The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 30 percent from September 4, 2009. The Board denied a higher rating for the period before September 4, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for tinnitus and IBS are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and symptoms of an undiagnosed illness, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for weight fluctuations due to undiagnosed Gulf War illness and secondary to fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's IBS was the underlying cause of his weight changes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal was remanded for further examination on respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and Vitamin D deficiency, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty. Service connection for dermatitis and urticaria (attributed to Gulf War Syndrome) is denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of medical opinion regarding her sleep disorder and Gulf War Syndrome symptoms.

The Veteran's skin conditions, respiratory issues (including sleep apnea), and gastrointestinal disorders other than irritable bowel syndrome are not service-connected.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. The Board denied both direct service connection for the condition and secondary service connection based on a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gastrointestinal symptoms due to Gulf War Syndrome has been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for a right knee condition and bilateral wrist tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue as an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service, finding that the Veteran's current fatigue is due to her mental health conditions and poor sleep. The claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as a sleep disorder due to an undiagnosed illness is denied because there is no evidence of such condition in-service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating, which would be required to grant an increased evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, increased rating claims, and effective date claims due to incomplete medical records and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.