The Board granted service connection for a mental disorder manifested by anxiety and depression, as well as service connection for a chronic multisymptom illness with headaches, IBS, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and lack of energy related to the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service. Service connection was denied for blindness and cardiovascular disorders.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran had a history of anxiety and depression during service which continued after service, and provided evidence supporting continuity of symptoms. The chronic multisymptom illness with headaches, IBS, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and lack of energy was related to Persian Gulf War service based on medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), blindness, cardiovascular disorder, varicose veins, multisymptom illness manifested by headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and lack of energy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2015
- Citation
- 1500771
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1500771.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the VA audiological examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded for an adequate VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is also remanded as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.