The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS is remanded due to the need for clarification of whether his fatigue constitutes an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and IBS, are remanded as there has not been substantial compliance with the February 2019 Board remand directives. The VA examiner did not clarify whether his fatigue is a symptom or manifestation of another chronic disability or if it constitutes an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hand and left-hand numbness are remanded as the VA examiner did not explain why his hand symptoms were related to exposure during service in Southwest Asia, nor addressed whether they constitute an undiagnosed illness.,The Veteran's increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are remanded due to inconsistencies and inadequacies among the VA examinations.
The deciding factor: There has not been substantial compliance with the February 2019 Board remand directives regarding clarification of whether the Veteran's fatigue constitutes an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.,The VA examiner did not clarify whether his fatigue is a symptom or manifestation of another chronic disability or if it constitutes an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.,The VA examiner did not explain why the Veteran's hand symptoms were related to exposure during service in Southwest Asia, nor addressed whether they constitute an undiagnosed illness.,There are inconsistencies and inadequacies among the VA examinations regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), gastrointestinal disorder, other than IBS, right hand numbness, left hand numbness
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21031119
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 21031119.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no evidence of a current disability in the record.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the service connection of multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, migraines, right hand and shoulder disabilities, right wrist disability, asthma (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), chronic fatigue syndrome, dysmenorrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disability. As a result, these claims are dismissed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to sleep wake disorder, CFS, and service-connected back scars.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal seeking revision or reversal of the August 2011 decision on service connection for shin splints of the right leg is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal seeking revision or reversal of the August 2011 decision on service connection for shin splints of the left leg is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals seeking revision or reversal of the August 2011 decisions on service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sinusitis, a right shoulder condition, and a back condition are remanded.
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.