Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder other than lumbosacral strain and osteoarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or manifestations that meet the criteria for service connection.

PTSD and allergic rhinitis have been granted with specific ratings.,Migraines, eczema (claimed as skin condition), sleep apnea, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remain pending issues.

The Veteran's GERD and back disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's headaches and joint pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased evaluations and service connection. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by skin disabilities are currently pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an undiagnosed illness characterized by pain in the area of her kidneys is granted, as it meets the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied service connection for right foot, left foot, toe disabilities, and an undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service. The Veteran's cardiovascular disability was not granted as the evidence did not show a link with his period of service.

The Veteran's appeals of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied service connection for an undiagnosed illness, a thyroid disability to include Grave's disease or hyperthyroidism, but separate and apart from hypothyroidism, and tonsillectomy. The claim for folliculitis is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for stomach ulcers, kidney stones/right kidney, and weakness and fatigue were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and an undiagnosed illness (claimed as fatigue). The Veteran's bilateral hand disability other than the right little finger contusion mallet finger is also remanded. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders remains in dispute.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of current diagnosis meeting VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for a scar from sebaceous cyst removal, service connection for a right hand injury, sleep disturbance, and an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI due to Persian Gulf War service have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sinus condition and asthma has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran meets all necessary criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for undiagnosed illness manifested by neurological signs or symptoms in the bilateral upper extremities and left lower extremity, with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain, psoriasis, memory loss, and Bell's Palsy have been denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed condition in the record that supports these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's neck and back pain, specifically whether it is related to exposure to Sarin gas or environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by wheezing and allergic rhinitis is granted. However, the claim for a higher rating for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development. The claims include undiagnosed illness, vaccine residuals (including malaria), gastrointestinal disorder, and memory loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that any symptoms are not related to active service.,There is also no evidence of a current diagnosis for chronic fatigue syndrome or a disorder manifested by chronic syndrome. The Veteran's fatigue was attributed to his sleep issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, while claims for obstructive sleep apnea and vertigo were denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for the right ankle disability from December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder conditions have been remanded due to insufficient examination reports.