Gulf War illness / chronic multisymptom — all decisions

The Veteran's claim for PTSD service connection is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The gastrointestinal condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle aches. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for skin conditions, fibromyalgia, and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded. The Board notes that the effective date of this increased rating was August 8, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA prior to June 20, 2011 are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorders, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic pain syndrome (claimed as Gulf War unexplained illness).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, undiagnosed illness with chronic diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome), tinnitus, and hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the issue regarding an earlier effective date for left shoulder degenerative joint disease. The claim for reopening a left knee disability was granted, and several issues related to service-connected disabilities were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion and a need for a new examination. The Veteran's digestive disorder, claimed as IBS and chronic diarrhea, is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of attempts to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's heart condition.

The Board has remanded two issues related to undiagnosed illnesses affecting the Veteran's hands and wrists. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions, which are currently rated as 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory thresholds do not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the requirements for service connection have not been met.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, eczema, athlete’s foot, and ingrown toenails of the great toes, and scars from moles removal are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, Gulf War Syndrome, and mental disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic constipation is granted. The initial ratings for cervical spine, esophageal reflux, and PTSD/MDD are denied.

The Veteran's asthma and recurrent pneumonia and bronchitis are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their relationship to service, Gulf War exposure, or other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include undiagnosed illness, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment (claimed as blindness), sleep apnea, hypertension, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess, psychotic disorder and bipolar disorder, diabetes mellitus, beta thalassemia minor, chronic fatigue syndrome (due to an undiagnosed illness), asthma, migratory joint pain (due to an undiagnosed illness), and elevated cholesterol. The effective dates for the service connection claims were not earlier than December 29, 2011.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for gout but dismisses the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to re-open the previously denied claim for service connection for swollen joints, headaches, fatigue, night sweats, and Gulf War syndrome. The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome (including hair loss) and chronic daily headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to increased ratings for his disabilities. The joint pain claim has also been reopened.

The Veteran's low back disorder, left knee patellar dislocation, and right knee patellar dislocation are granted service connection as direct service connection. The Veteran's left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War Syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for numbness and pain of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for headaches (claimed as migraine headaches) has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,PTSD has been granted, with a link to an in-service stressor. The Veteran will receive service connection for PTSD.