Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board has decided to grant service connection for memory loss, as it was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran's son and daughter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal was withdrawn as to the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthralgia, and entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome and Lung Disorder were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather a reduction in rating of the right knee disability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection as a qualifying chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness under the provisions for Persian Gulf veterans. The claim for an undiagnosed illness is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic sinusitis and asthma, also claimed as respiratory problems (fatigue), was granted. Service connection for urticaria due to undiagnosed illness is also established.,Effective November 1, 2011, the combined disability rating for chronic sinusitis and asthma was severed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or a qualifying chronic disease as due to Persian Gulf War service, is denied. The Board found no diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and noted that the symptoms were attributed to PTSD and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed Gulf War undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness, as well as other symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and heart disorder are denied. The appeal for an undiagnosed illness was not addressed as it pertained to a different issue.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since May 15, 2009. The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and lower respiratory disability, fibromyalgia, and undiagnosed illness (chronic fatigue syndrome) as they were not found to be related to active duty service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances, claimed as sleep apnea, is granted as the condition is due to an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified PTSD stressor, and the current conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder subacromial bursitis with left medial scapular and upper trapezius myofascial ligamentous strain was rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The duodenal ulcer was rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle sprains. However, the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral hip disorder have been denied as they are not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The examiner will assess whether these symptoms are related to service or fall within the provisions for a disability resulting from service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, hypogonadism, and a pituitary condition. The conditions are all found to be related to active service or an incident of service, including undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and Gulf War exposure-related conditions. The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing before the Board.