The Veteran's service connection claim for disability due to undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses, including CFS and joint and muscle pain, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and opined that the diagnoses were due to a disease with a clear and specific etiology, without resorting to mere speculation regarding exposure during service in Southwest Asia.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Joint and Muscle Pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2016
- Citation
- 1636403
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1636403.
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)
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- Whole decision: Granted
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and vertigo are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The PFB claim is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability of the bilateral eyes is remanded due to incomplete STRs and outstanding private treatment records.
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