The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome as due to Gulf War service based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions manifested to a degree of 10% or more within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's private physician provided an opinion linking these conditions to his military service, but the Board found this opinion insufficient without supporting medical records.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not show that chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome manifested to a degree of 10% or more within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's STRs were silent on these conditions, and his separation examination noted no complaints or symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2019
- Citation
- A19003442
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19003442.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
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