Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

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.

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.