Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and its manifestation as an undiagnosed illness is granted. The evidence shows a diagnosis of CFS, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's left knee joint pain, which manifested in 2012 and is considered an undiagnosed illness, has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to anoxic brain injury caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with significant contributing factors of fibromyalgia. The claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for fibromyalgia for accrued purposes is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a chronic fatigue condition with exhaustion and dizziness (claimed as Gulf War syndrome) due to failure to appear at a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after additional development, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and attempting to contact the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with arthroscopic repair is granted service connection.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder and sleep apnea are granted, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) remains pending due to insufficient evidence at this time.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disability, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to their relationship with undiagnosed illnesses. The Veteran needs additional examinations to determine if he has current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including nerve damage, tinnitus, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastritis, bilateral hearing loss, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and effective dates for various conditions, including follicular infection on the head and chest, right and left knee disorders, headaches, muscle and joint pain, neurological disorder, respiratory disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional medical records and undergo examinations.

The Veteran's claims for residual acne scarring of the face and back, as well as hematochezia due to undiagnosed illness, have been granted. The conditions are considered new and material based on evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to active service, including Persian Gulf service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisystem illness related to Gulf War service is denied.,Claims for increased ratings and effective dates are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection is not granted as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board has decided to remand both issues of service connection for a headache disability and a multisystem undiagnosed illness related to service in Southwest Asia. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's complaints are symptoms of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness based on his service in the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including an undiagnosed illness, is related to his service. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo a new examination by a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.,Additional examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s unspecified depressive disorder is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s headaches are due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's sleep disturbance (including sleep apnea and insomnia) claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s athlete's foot is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with bilateral leg pain claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s hypertension is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's right knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's left knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's skin rash on face and head claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of service connection for low testosterone and entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 20, 2013 for service connection for glaucoma. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's missing service medical records and conduct further examinations to address his claims for various joint, muscle, neurological, cardiovascular, hearing, and tinnitus conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, as well as the need for VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his current residuals.