The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, and sleep apnea but granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain and bilateral knee strain. The claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The deciding factor: While the Veteran's symptoms are credible, the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, or sleep apnea. However, there is an approximate balance of evidence as to whether his bilateral ankle and knee strains were incurred in service.

Claimed conditions

Chronic fatigue syndrome (also claimed as Gulf war syndrome), Sinusitis, Sleep apnea, Bilateral ankle strain, Bilateral knee strain, Migraine headaches, Rhinitis, Respiratory condition, to include bronchitis, sarcoidosis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and pleurisy, Cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (claimed as neck pain), Eye condition, to include retinitis, Tinnitus, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo), Left quadricep muscle strain (claimed as muscle aches), Right quadricep muscle strain, Left trapezius muscle strain, Right trapezius muscle strain, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 7, 2025

Citation

A25097167

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine