Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether OSA is caused or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, PTSD, and an undiagnosed illness with symptoms of fatigue due to Gulf War hazards. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (also claimed as anxiety and depression), a muscle disability to include as due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness, and a left leg condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and found that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of such condition. The appeal was remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.,Service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic fatigue is denied due to lack of qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 30 percent for the undiagnosed illness manifested by headaches and dizziness is granted, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not indicate a compensable degree of disability within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied because his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder bursitis with osteoarthritis is granted. The claim for neurological signs and symptoms, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, remains denied.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue is found to be a manifestation of Gulf War Illness, incurred as a result of environmental exposures during his service in the Persian Gulf. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a heart disorder or related symptomatology attributable to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder, but denied the rest of the claims due to lack of medical evidence linking the conditions to his active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including muscle pain due to an undiagnosed disorder, left Achilles sprain, chronic fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, neuropsychological symptoms, headaches, neurological condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness characterized as fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5025. No separate ratings are warranted for irritable bowel syndrome or headaches.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, thyroid disorder, and GERD due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's claim for these conditions is not supported by evidence that they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for numbness in the left leg is granted, but not for his fatigue or TDIU. The case is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for fatigue and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and remanded the issues of postoperative residuals of breast reduction surgery and an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective October 13, 2017. The claims for service connection of other disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues regarding loss of sense of balance and falling, respiratory disability, bowel dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, leaving no unresolved questions.