Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions due to undiagnosed illness, finding that new evidence was not sufficient to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board found that the appellant's nasal obstruction preexisted his service and did not increase in severity during active military service. The appellant's nonspecific skin condition was also denied as it is not a presumptive illness related to Gulf War service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's asthma and undiagnosed illness are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling.,Service connection for allergic reactions, memory loss, joint pain, headaches, skin rash, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction (attributed to PTSD) was denied.

The veteran's headaches and undiagnosed illnesses were granted service connection. The issues of GERD, basal cell carcinoma residuals, and allergic rhinorrhea are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and a sleep/fatigue disorder, both claimed as the result of an undiagnosed illness, are being REMANDED due to incomplete records. The case must be reviewed again after obtaining any missing records and providing the veteran with adequate notice of the date and place of any requested examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and verify his Gulf War service.

The veteran's claims for chronic fatigue, depressive disorder, memory loss, and headaches due to an undiagnosed illness have been denied. The claims for a blood disease/mycoplasma infection were also denied.

The veteran's service records indicate he served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. He has exhibited objective indications of chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness manifested by flu-like symptoms, which became manifest coincident with his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with some issues being granted and others not. The specific conditions at issue include Gulf War syndrome, various respiratory disorders, gum disease, gastritis, Looney fever, colitis, dysentery, and sinus disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic sinusitis, anxiety disorder (PTSD and anxiety), headaches due to an undiagnosed illness, skin disorders, disability of the hands and elbows, and bilateral knee disabilities. The appeals were based on presumed service connection for undiagnosed illnesses related to service in the Persian Gulf region.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of regulatory revisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's generalized skin disorder, now diagnosed as inverse psoriasis, is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 19, 1996 for his service connection and evaluation for undiagnosed illness. The decision found that there was no formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected undiagnosed illness characterized by fatigue, joint/muscle pain, sleep disturbance, memory loss, and headaches is granted to 20 percent. The issue of service connection for another undiagnosed illness characterized by depression, irritability, nightmares, and night sweats remains unresolved.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for symptoms claimed as residuals of undiagnosed illnesses is precluded by law. The claims for higher initial ratings are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for undiagnosed illness manifested by a nervous system disorder/muscle cramps, finding no objective indications of such a disability.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that the veteran's symptoms are attributable to this condition and have been present since her military service. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is supported by medical evidence, including a VA examination report and private physician opinions.