The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and therefore, service connection for CFS is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), and for substance abuse are REMANDED.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for CFS was not supported by objective evidence or clinical findings that would meet the criteria for a diagnosis of CFS as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran did not provide sufficient objective indications of a chronic disability to support his claim, including signs and symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, neurologic signs or symptoms, neuropsychological signs or symptoms, respiratory system signs or symptoms, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal signs or symptoms, cardiovascular signs or symptoms, abnormal weight loss, or menstrual disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Substance Abuse
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 11, 2012
- Citation
- 1235188
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1235188.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
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