The Veteran's costochondritis is granted as secondary to the service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection for pemphigus vulgaris is granted on a direct basis due to continuous symptoms since service.,Right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and dizziness are all granted based on relative equipoise of evidence.,Heart disorder (claimed as a heart condition) is granted secondary to the service-connected pemphigus vulgaris.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is granted due to qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf criteria.,Irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye with distorted vision are both granted on a direct basis, while dry mouth is granted as a qualifying chronic disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's costochondritis is related to his service-connected fibromyalgia due to musculoskeletal symptoms.,Pemphigus vulgaris was diagnosed shortly after service and may be linked to the anthrax vaccine or Gulf War exposure, with no clear causative link to service.,Peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities is supported by reoccurring symptoms and medical records, while vertigo and dizziness are granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,Heart disorder is secondary to pemphigus vulgaris due to the Veteran's use of high-dose steroids for his condition.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is granted as a qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf criteria with no evidence of supervening conditions.,Irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye are both granted on direct basis, while dry mouth is granted based on its manifestation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- costochondritis, pemphigus vulgaris, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vertigo and dizziness, heart disorder (claimed as a heart condition), chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, dry eye with distorted vision, dry mouth
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22007652
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 22007652.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adhesions as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the claimed condition and service or a service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS with GERD, and OSA were denied. The claim for OSA was granted due to the receipt of new evidence showing a current disability.
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