The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bloody stools and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, and lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs. These conditions are presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf War.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claims for service connection are granted based on evidence that these conditions are related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War, which is considered a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), bloody stools, diarrhea, constipation and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, and borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, and rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 15, 2006
- Citation
- 0604371
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
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