Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are also being remanded.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim seeking revision of a July 1998 Rating Decision assigning a non-compensable initial rating effective January 23, 1998, for service-connected bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for nerve damage of the right leg, left leg, arthritis of the legs, diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, deviated septum, digestive disability, and hernia disability were all granted.

The Veteran's skin disability, diagnosed as prurigo nodularis, is related to her military service and has been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral foot, hand, hip, sleep apnea, and GERD disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for folliculitis, tonsillectomy residuals, an undiagnosed illness, and Grave's disease due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted. The claims for service connection for a skin disability and IBS are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with and indicative of COPD. Service connection was denied for a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) due to lack of evidence attributing the symptoms to an undiagnosed illness or known clinical condition.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including for addendum opinions and VA examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue and fibromyalgia. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue due to Gulf War Illness and initial compensable ratings for left and right knee strains were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness, and instead attributed his symptoms to his service-connected asthma and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's claim and for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues, including chronic cough, bilateral hearing loss, and a lumbar spine disorder, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the issues of bilateral flat foot and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation of the Veteran's chronic fatigue and pre-syncope diagnoses, as well as their relation to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including photophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lung condition, GERD, arthritis, hip and knee conditions, sexual arousal disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome.

Service connection is granted for headaches, undiagnosed illness manifested by left elbow pain, and undiagnosed illness manifested by left knee pain. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's service records show he had a head injury in service which led to recurrent headaches. He has also reported joint pain in his elbows and knees since service, with the pain being exacerbated by physical activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and digestive system disorder (other than GERD and hemorrhoids) due to undiagnosed illness has been granted. The bilateral leg disorder claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has reopened the claims for gulf war syndrome, hepatitis C, PTSD, and anxiety disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by dysuria is granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

Service connection for small fiber sensorimotor neuropathy, thoracolumbar spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to Gulf War Hazards has been granted.,The application to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to headaches, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder require additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.