Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various manifestations of undiagnosed illnesses, including dizziness, headaches, joint pain, and memory loss. The decision also noted that the veteran's left knee disability was rated based on its current severity rather than pre-service impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence and clear and unmistakable evidence regarding preexisting conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a chronic disability manifested by an irregular heart beat and gastrointestinal disorder, both claimed as undiagnosed illnesses resulting from service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of head trauma and right hand trauma, but granted service connection for keloids of the chest and a disability described as viral syndrome with lymphoproliferative disorder, which is presumed to be related to Gulf War service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder, a low back disability claimed as an undiagnosed illness, musculoskeletal symptoms to include finger numbness and shoulder and neck joint throbbing, and knee pain. The reasons were that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder during or after service.

The veteran's skin disorders of the feet and recurrent hives are presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness incurred in service. However, his numbness of hands and feet is also presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but there was no evidence linking this condition specifically to service.

The Board finds that the veteran's undiagnosed illnesses manifested by chronic fatigue and pain in the lower extremities are presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by active service and not due to exposure in the Persian Gulf. The veteran's skin disability was not related to his military service, chronic fatigue is presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf, weight loss has no presumptive basis, parotidectomy is not service-connected, and hypothyroidism did not arise during or as a result of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims are granted for left foot injury, chronic respiratory condition (undiagnosed illness), joint pain, swelling, and weakness of the lower extremities, bilateral, gastrointestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine and tension headaches, fatigue, and back disability. The conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by signs or symptoms involving the skin, finding no competent medical evidence of a chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for a back disorder and skin disorders as due to an undiagnosed illness, and also denied service connection for gastro-intestinal problems, flu-like symptoms (including ear, nose, and throat problems), hair loss, change of hair color, memory loss, fatigue, and insomnia. The veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, skin rash due to undiagnosed illness, and weight gain due to undiagnosed illness. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness (UI) manifested by fatigue, finding that the symptoms are nearly constant and meet the criteria for a compensably disabling condition under Diagnostic Code 6354. The appeal is based on the veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's recurrent nasal ulcer, acne, and hair loss due to undiagnosed illness during service in the Gulf War theater.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the June 2001 VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a comprehensive VA examination.

The veteran's tinnitus and actinic keratoses of the scalp are found to be related to his service. The claims for aching muscles, sleeplessness, and memory loss due to undiagnosed illnesses are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for presbyopia, residuals of corneal abrasions and an undiagnosed illness involving the eyes are denied. His claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for headaches as due to undiagnosed illness is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath are not due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from service in the Gulf War.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of current disability or etiological link to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were not granted based on secondary service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.