The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS, including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and encompassing complaints of achy joints, sore/weak muscles, recurrent rash of groin and neck, chronic bronchitis with coughing and shortness of breath, and low-grade fever, chills at sunset, tender glands, and a general feeling of not being well, has been denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have any of the symptoms listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for qualifying chronic disabilities, and his achy joints are attributed to degenerative joint disease rather than an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2013
- Citation
- 1327608
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 1327608.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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