Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Veteran's leukopenia, neutropenia, and dyslipidemia are laboratory findings without underlying or resulting disability. The Board finds that these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not considered disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service connected as it was not incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, which he contends is due to undiagnosed illness, has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his undiagnosed illness is rated at 20 percent. The combined rating of 80 percent does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for refractive error is dismissed as he has withdrawn his request for this matter.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Veteran's headaches and fatigue/sleep disturbance are found to be secondary to an undiagnosed illness, while the right knee condition is granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle twitching/spasms, pain, and weakness (claimed as fibromyalgia) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants his appeal for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available evaluation of 70 percent.,The Veteran's fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and pains, tingling of limbs, poor concentration, mood and sleep disorder, respiratory condition, low grade fevers, and boils are considered to be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to his Gulf War service.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating for the period from March 1, 2010 to October 28, 2010 due to treatment for service-connected status post left ankle arthrodesis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for urinary voiding dysfunction due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's reported knee pain, right lower rib pain, and sleep disturbance. The appeal will be returned to the Board only if service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbance, and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection. The bilateral foot disorder has not.,Service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions is established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea, also claimed as insomnia due to undiagnosed illness), including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. However, these claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis, distal esophagitis, and esophageal spasm, is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's joint and muscle pain is found to be due to an undiagnosed illness that manifested during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims include reopening the service connection for undiagnosed illness, separate ratings for erectile dysfunction and bladder/bowel impairment, as well as seeking service connection for various conditions.