Citation Nr: 18141495
Decision Date: 10/11/18	Archive Date: 10/10/18

DOCKET NO. 16-14 165
DATE:	October 11, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from February 1992 to August 2001, February 2002 to January 2006, and July 2006 to August 2012. She has documented service in Southwest Asia. A videoconference hearing was held in April 2017 before the undersigned veterans law judge. The transcript is of record. 
1. Entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability is remanded.
The VA examinations of record do not adequately address whether the Veteran’s fatigue and respiratory disabilities are attributable to a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The July 2013 examination states that the Veteran’s chronic fatigue is most likely due to her documented iron and Vitamin D deficiencies. However, later medical records indicate that her fatigue persisted even after her iron and Vitamin D levels stabilized. Shortness of breath was attributed to her anxiety, despite the Veteran’s assertions that her shortness of breath does not correlate with her anxiety and is present consistently. Further, the Veteran’s medical treatment records contain indications of other symptoms of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, including skin abnormalities and sleep difficulties with no diagnosis. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine whether the Veteran has chronic fatigue syndrome or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. 
2. Thereafter, readjudicate the issue on appeal. If the determination remains unfavorable to the Veteran, she and her representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran and her representative should be afforded the applicable time period to respond.
 
H. N. SCHWARTZ
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Creegan, Associate Counsel