Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness with symptoms including headaches and pain of the cervical spine, right elbow, right hand/finger, and left knee. The Veteran was also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from January 24, 2020.,PTSD ratings were denied for periods prior to and after January 24, 2020.

The Veteran's service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by abdominal discomfort and diarrhea is granted. Ratings of 20 percent are assigned for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and right knee instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an undiagnosed illness (fatigue) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is attributable to a known clinical diagnosis, and thus, the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 are not applicable.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal, and thus these claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claim for hypertension remains denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on new and material evidence. Chronic constipation secondary to service-connected hypertension is now service connected. Claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, fibromyalgia, and MUCMI are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.,Specifically, the VA examinations found that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not qualify as 'undiagnosed illnesses' under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, and the medical opinions provided by VA examiners concluded that the back disorder is more likely due to natural aging processes and occupation-related factors, while the memory loss is less likely related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and memory loss due to in-service noise exposure, as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are granted service connection. Service connection for Gulf War illness manifestations of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure and a need for further development, including obtaining relevant Federal records and affording him with a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and heart condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals. The claims for constipation/irritable bowel syndrome (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome) and tinnitus are being readjudicated.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyspnea was denied as it is not related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for left ankle strain and shoulder strain.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them due to lack of specific error of fact or law.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for his service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic productive cough and post-nasal drip has been granted. The Board found the disability picture more closely approximates that required for a 30 percent rating under Code 6601, which involves 'daily productive cough with sputum that is at time purulent or blood-tinged and that requires prolonged antibiotic usage more than twice a year.'

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for migraines prior to March 5, 2018 is denied.,Several service connection claims are remanded due to the overlap with the increased rating claims and need for updated medical examinations.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH) due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant (SHA) is dismissed as moot, given the award of SAH.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Gulf War Syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinus bradycardia, a MUCMI, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) is granted.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are presumed related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, chronic hypersomnolence, chronic fatigue, chronic diarrhea, chronic memory loss, and mood disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness) may be due to exposure to environmental hazards during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that there is no evidence to support his assertions of a current disability and nexus with service. The Veteran's urinary condition was found not to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's joint pain, including his back pain. The Veteran is seeking service connection for joint pain related to his active duty in the Persian Gulf War.