Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is denied as the RO did not provide a decision on service connection for a back disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.,Service connection was granted for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as incurred due to active service, but denied service connection for liver and respiratory disorders as not related to undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed kidney disorder or other undiagnosed illness manifested by trouble concentrating, and thus service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, with no new evidence provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for irritable throat and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, but the veteran's other claims remain unresolved.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for intermittent fatigue and respiratory infections with sinusitis are not supported by competent evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a corneal abrasion of the right eye and chronic fatigue syndrome. The knee pain was found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but other issues were not supported by evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from the Army Reserve and VA treatment records, as well as clarifying details about stressors during service. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has any disability attributable to fatigue or shortness of breath.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical arthritis, left knee disability (arthritis), short-term memory loss, and rashes and sores (folliculitis).,There is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board found that any current disabilities are not related to service.

The RO reduced the veteran's disability rating for headaches from 30% to noncompensable and severed service connection for memory loss. The veteran is not entitled to restoration of a 30% disability rating for headaches.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of lumbosacral strain. The veteran was awarded a noncompensable evaluation for his ganglion cyst and a 10% evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome from November 3, 1995 to March 7, 2004, and a 20% evaluation thereafter. His claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including reopening service connection claims and addressing his right thumb disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including as due to undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension, headaches, or bleeding gums as a result of service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, increased ratings for fatigue and shortness of breath due to undiagnosed illnesses, and an increased rating for tinea pedis. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible rating of 70 percent, and his left wrist fracture residuals are not entitled to a higher rating. Service connection for carotidynia, low back disorder, variously diagnosed respiratory disorders (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and left upper extremity tremor is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, clarification of laws and regulations, and issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, headaches, skin condition, and gastrointestinal problems, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The diagnoses provided by VA medical providers indicated that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or general anxiety.