Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for left patellofemoral chondromalacia with medial patellar plica, gastrointestinal disorder due to an undiagnosed illness, and skin rash (tinea pedis) are well grounded. The lumbar spine disorder claim is also considered well grounded.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches with nausea and lumbosacral strain due to undiagnosed illness, finding the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service medical records and the need for additional development. The issues of service connection for schizophrenia, undiagnosed illness manifested by skin problems, eye disorder, and residuals of frostbite are pending.

The veteran's service-connected headaches due to undiagnosed illness are manifested by headaches occurring at least once a month and impairing his function, warranting a 30 percent disability evaluation from the beginning of the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a dislocated right shoulder, multiple upper respiratory problems, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an abnormal 'cardio' test. The decision also noted that the veteran did not submit evidence of PTSD.

The veteran's headaches are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Other conditions, including muscle and joint pains, bleeding gums, rash, weight gain, and psychiatric disability, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and special monthly compensation were denied. The service-connected lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 60 percent rating, which is the maximum under applicable criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for abdominal pain and lactose intolerance due to an undiagnosed illness were denied. The claim for increased rating of left knee disability was granted with a 20% evaluation effective February 22, 1999. The claim for increased rating of right knee disability was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, all claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness, were denied. The RO also denied a TDIU rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a total disability rating due to unemployability are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the cause of his fatigue and joint pain complaints.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO found no new and material evidence to reopen several of his claims. The prostate disorder claim was not well-grounded due to lack of a current disability related to service. The hearing loss and cardiac disability claims were withdrawn by the veteran. The liver disorder claim was not well-grounded as there is no indication of a current disability or relationship to service. The gastrointestinal and skin disorder claims were also not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including corneal abrasion of the right eye and undiagnosed illness-related symptoms such as joint pain, memory loss, headaches, fatigue with weight gain, and shortness of breath, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and pulmonary disorder due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asian Theater. The appeals for chronic fatigue and arthralgia are considered well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded as they present plausible evidence of skin, respiratory and fatigue disorders possibly related to his military service. The issues have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation for furuncles and service connection for PTSD and multiple conditions to include as due to undiagnosed illnesses arising from service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cough, skin rashes, fatigue, and hair loss are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under current regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected right knee scar and left foot injury residuals are currently rated as noncompensably disabling.,Service connection for a stomach disorder, claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness, is not well grounded.