Citation Nr: 25004098 Decision Date: 03/26/25 Archive Date: 03/26/25 DOCKET NO. 20-30 638 DATE: March 26, 2025 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness (UI) or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI), is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities (UE), to include hand cramps, and to include as due to an UI/MUCMI, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND On initial review of this case, the Board denied the appeal. See March 2024 BVA Decision. The Veteran appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). In November 2024, while the appeal was pending, the Veteran, through counsel, and the Secretary, VA, filed a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). See November 2024 CAVC, P. 2-8. In an Order also dated in November 2024, CAVC granted the JMPR, vacated the March 2024 Board decision as it pertained to the UI and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities claims and remanded the case to the Board for further review consistent with the JMR. Id. P. 9. The March 2024 Board decision also included a remand of the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. That issue is still under development at the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). Hence, it is not addressed in this action. Entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, to include as due to an UI or MUCMI, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities (UE), to include hand cramps, and to include as due to an UI/MUCMI, is remanded. The consensus of the parties in the JMPR is that the March 2024 Board decision provided inadequate reasons and bases for denying the claim. Specifically, the Board's analysis of a March 2023 non-VA nexus opinion by M. B. S., M.D., was conclusory and insufficiently detailed. Dr. S opined noted that the Veteran suffers from fatigue, headaches, neurological issues, dermatitis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, and he opined that there is no diagnosis and/or explanation for them. See May 2023 Medical Treatment-Non-Government Facility. The Veteran's submission also included a few medical treatises and a Government Accountability Office report. The Board finds the evidence is not sufficiently persuasive to allow for a grant at this time. The JMPR also determined "that the Board erred by conflating the pending appeal streams of record when it dismissed Appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by PN UE." (peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities). Because this issue also raises the related issue of whether it is due to MUCMI, the Board finds a remand is necessary. To avoid contravening Colvin v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 171, 172 (1991), the Board finds that a remand is indicated. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. The AOJ shall send the claim file to an appropriate clinician. 2. Ask the clinician to review the claim file and then opine on whether the Veteran's complaints of chronic fatigue and headaches are due to a specific diagnosed disorder or ar part of an UI or MUCMI. 3. Ask the clinician to review the claim file and then opine on whether the Veteran's complaints of disorder manifested by peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities (UE), to include hand cramps, and to include as due to an UI/MUCMI or otherwise related to service. 4. The clinicians must address the May 2023 medical opinion of Dr. S, the submitted medical treatises and GAO report. 5. The clinician must provide a full explanation for any opinion provided. A full explanation will avoid mere conclusory statements. 6. After the above is complete, readjudicate the claim as appropriate. Martin T. Mitchell Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Snyder, William T. The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.