The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent only. However, the Board has found that additional VA medical opinions are needed as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information to adequately address 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 regarding a chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence of record and November 2016 VA examinations do not provide sufficient information to adequately address 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 regarding a chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI, or otherwise present medical findings in a manner that permits the Board to make the requisite determinations under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic cough/breathing-related condition, chronic fatigue condition, gastrointestinal condition (claimed as abdominal pain)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21076890
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 21076890.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information from a previous VA examination, and it needs further development including a new medical evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and the Veteran's claims for service connection related to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure, Agent Orange exposure, and chronic fatigue condition are being remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic fatigue condition and an increased rating for his headache disorder, finding that there is no evidence of current disability or characteristic prostrating attacks as required for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic fatigue condition to include exhaustion and dizziness, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of such condition related to his active-duty service in Southwest Asia.
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