Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, finding no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness during service. The Veteran is already service connected for other conditions and the claim was not based on presumptive exposure to Gulf War syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has remanded two issues related to undiagnosed illnesses affecting the Veteran's hands and wrists. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions, which are currently rated as 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, Gulf War Syndrome, and mental disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic constipation is granted. The initial ratings for cervical spine DDD, erosive reflux esophagitis, and PTSD/MDD are denied.

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their relationship to service, including Gulf War environmental exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include undiagnosed illness, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment (claimed as blindness), sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for swollen joints, headaches, fatigue, night sweats, and Gulf War Syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's joint pain is service-connected as an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service. The claim for a diagnosed condition of joint pain has been granted.

The Veteran's low back disorder, left knee patellar dislocation, and right knee patellar dislocation are granted service connection as direct service connection. The Veteran's left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War Syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for numbness and pain of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for headaches (claimed as migraine headaches) has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for a right knee scar has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder impingement syndrome, left knee pain, right knee pain, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and memory loss, have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a chronic multisymptom illness, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder are not supported by the evidence of record. The appeals have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for joint pain, joint swelling, lumbar strain, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin rashes, and headaches have been denied. The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with a 30% disability rating effective January 30, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical arthritis and remanded the issues of sleep condition (undiagnosed illness) due to active duty service.

The claims for joint pain and respiratory condition were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted, while the claim for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened.,An increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and remands several issues for further action.

Service connection granted for right and left knee disabilities.,Service connection granted for right wrist disability due to Gulf War exposure.,Remanded for further examination and evaluation of right shoulder post rotator cuff injury and bilateral ankle fracture residuals.,Remanded for initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as separate evaluation for neurological bladder disability.,Service connection granted for right shoulder post rotator cuff injury.,Service connection granted for bilateral ankle fracture residuals.,Separate evaluation requested for neurogenic bladder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder is granted, but the claims for brucellosis and Coxiella burnetti are denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for right and left ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, Gulf War illness, and traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches due to new evidence received since previous decisions.