Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his neck disability, muscle spasms of the calves, sleep apnea, and chronic pain. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for a comprehensive examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, an undiagnosed illness (likely Gulf War syndrome), leg cramps (lower extremity pain), and headaches due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain. The Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders, as well as his left hip, knee, and lower extremity radiculopathy are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of residuals of gall bladder removal, left hip disability to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, right hip disability to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, and weight loss, to include as a Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's muscle and joint pain have not been shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for these conditions is denied.,Diverticulosis was found to be unrelated to service, including environmental exposures in Southwest Asia. The condition is considered a disease with clear and specific etiology.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status or aid and attendance was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle strain with osteoarthritis and remanded the other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims of TDIU and service connection for a lumbar disc disease due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (claimed as 'Gulf War Syndrome'), TMJ, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, lung disability, stomach disability, psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The claims are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for respiratory disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of disabilities, including migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, muscle cramps, skin disability, memory loss, bilateral hand disability, cervical spine disability, and an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.,VA treatment records since November 2018 must be obtained. The Veteran may also need to provide authorization for non-VA medical facilities where he has received treatment for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection, but new evidence has now raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hypercholesterolemia.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and no link to service or an undiagnosed illness.,There is no current left index finger scar, and the Veteran's complaints are not supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran's left hip disability is less likely related to service. The examiner found it was due to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of the left iliac artery.,A temporary total evaluation for convalescence from surgery for a service-connected disability is denied as there is no service-connected disability upon which to base this claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to heart disease is remanded for additional examination and opinion.,Service connection for CFS secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and chronic fatigue as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness are granted. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and memory loss are remanded for further examination.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue (as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness), fibromyalgia, and memory loss remain pending.

The Veteran's chest pain and memory loss are not service-connected as separate disabilities, with the Board finding that they are related to her service-connected asthma and PTSD respectively.,VA examinations were ordered but have not been conducted. The claims for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development is required.