Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for chronic joint and muscle pain and fatigue (undiagnosed illness), concluding there was no current diagnosis of such a condition during or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory problems, skin condition, and neurological disability due to insufficient examination findings.,The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot was reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining her service treatment records and military personnel records. The Board also ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable Diagnostic Code.,The Veteran's reversible obstructive airway disease warrants a remand for further examination and evaluation to determine if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder but has remanded the claims of service connection for muscle and joint pain, including CTS, due to Gulf War exposure. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during his military service and has continued since.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, skin disorder, and lumbar spine disability were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the symptoms are not related to his military service or any in-service injury. The Board found that the Veteran does not have dementia or a MUCMI other than CFS, and his hearing loss and ear condition are not linked to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by shortness of breath and chest pain, as well as weakness due to an undiagnosis illness are both granted. The Board found that the symptoms started during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection are all remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is remanded for further examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if the condition is an undiagnosed illness, MUCMI, or related to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf and an undiagnosed illness. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome, manifested by muscle ache and joint pain, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted a higher rating of 50 percent since January 18, 2021. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.,Service connection was established for stomach disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's back and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or due to a known clinical diagnosis.,Service connection for GERD is granted, with the condition having manifested during active service. The claim for chronic pain throughout the body is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders other than IBS, and left or right-hand numbness are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are due to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic fatigue, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a qualifying chronic disability for presumptive service connection due to his status as a Persian Gulf War veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability but has remanded the claim of chronic fatigue syndrome, undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (claimed as due to exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional examination reports.