Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches associated with an undiagnosed illness were rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2006 and increased to 30 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues developed for appellate review, including service connection claims and a low back rating claim.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II, sleep apnea, and joint pain to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma and Persian Gulf War syndrome were remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right ear hearing loss and skin disorder were not incurred as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The case was remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings as the evidence did not support a compensable rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including folliculitis, musculoskeletal strain, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, facial congestion and breathing difficulties, sperm abnormalities, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are being remanded for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, major depressive disorder, and low back pain as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist damage, left forearm damage, and a lung disability were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the claimed conditions manifested in service.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling a VA dermatology examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions, and the Board dismissed the issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and muscle pain and cramps in the calves due to an undiagnosed illness, as well as a higher rating for blepharitis.

The Board remands the case to obtain additional evidence and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, but not for a low back disorder. The veteran's myofascial pain syndrome is related to his active duty service, while sleep apnea, GERD, and memory loss are not.

The veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal within the prescribed time period for each of the denied claims, resulting in the denial of his appeals as a matter of law.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Persian Gulf War Syndrome, but increased the rating for dysthymic disorder to 70 percent. The veteran was also granted a 40 percent evaluation for fibromyalgia.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating effective October 16, 2006. The other claims related to respiratory disorders, heart conditions, multiple arthralgias, and an undiagnosed illness characterized by fatigue, insomnia, and memory loss are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchial asthma, low back disability (Gulf War Illness, painful joints), tinnitus, and hearing loss in the right ear are addressed in the REMAND portion.