Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence that has not been considered by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including an undiagnosed illness and asthma, is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Gulf War. The right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active duty and continuity since then.,Service connection for low back condition, lung scarring, residuals of pneumonia, and mild lingular scarring is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for joint and muscle pain, headaches, memory loss, and fatigue is also remanded as there are no clear findings or opinions regarding Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are granted to the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for residuals of gastrointestinal problems due to Gulf War exposure and 20 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome, effective January 3, 2017. The lower initial ratings remain in effect.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for an undiagnosed illness resulting in sleep difficulties, service connection for an undiagnosed illness resulting in numbness in arms, and evaluation of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The remand is due to the need to process a Privacy Act request and provide an addendum opinion regarding bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 26, 2012, for the award of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was granted. The Board found that entitlement arose on March 18, 2004, when the Veteran filed a request to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for weight loss and anemia, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, and gout have been denied. The Board found no objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability under the presumptive provisions and insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, right knee patellar tendonitis, and left knee patellar tendonitis and plica irritation. The other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of increased severity.,Service connection for chronic bronchitis has been granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits and other toxins (BPOT).,Service connection for restrictive lung disease/restrictive spirometry pattern was denied due to lack of a clear etiology related to service.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by right wrist pain is granted, with the condition being presumed based on BPOT exposure.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by right ankle pain is granted, with the condition also presumed based on BPOT exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI) based on new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, IBS, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by joint pain, fatigue, and memory loss is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness resulting from Persian Gulf service was granted. The issue of service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus from December 15, 2017 remains remanded due to the need for further development and clarification.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Gulf War Illness, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all remanded as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine their validity.,Service connection will be granted based on direct evidence of a condition during service or otherwise established by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's headaches and vertigo are related to his service, while chronic fatigue syndrome and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) have not been linked to his service.

The Veteran's colonic polyps are granted service connection, with a current disability rating of at least 10% under DC 7319.,Service connection for the undiagnosed illness characterized by pain of shoulders, knees, fingers, and toes is granted from August 10, 2022. The claim prior to this date was denied due to lack of manifestation to a degree of 10% or more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his Gulf War exposure and related disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness characterized by generalized muscle and joint pain, finding that the condition is a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness, manifesting by chronic fatigue, is denied as his symptoms are not attributable to a presumptive condition due to military service. His TDIU claim is also denied as he has sufficient service-connected disabilities rated at least 40% combined with the ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed illnesses manifested by memory loss and muscle and joint pain have been denied as they are not related to his military service.