The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Hypersomnia, as well as the need for Aid and Attendance benefits. The Veteran's contentions have been considered, and additional evidence is needed to clarify whether CFS or Hypersomnia are separate from his service-connected undifferentiated connective tissue disease.
The deciding factor: The Board found conflicting evidence suggesting that the claimed disorders may be symptoms of the Veteran’s service-connected undifferentiated connective tissue disease versus freestanding disorders, and additional evaluation is needed to clarify this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hypersomnia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19102675
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea, and the initial evaluation for PTSD was increased to 70 percent. Chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a low back disability, a left knee disability, and a left shoulder disability as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.
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