Fibromyalgia decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claims for service connection are on appeal, as is his claim to reopen a previously denied right TMJ dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as an undiagnosed illness due to the appellant's Persian Gulf service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral elbow epicondylitis, fibromyalgia (bilateral shoulder, hip and knee fibrositis), and chronic dermatitis (prurigo nodularis) are all service-connected due to their onset during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's chronic joint pain secondary to myofibrositis was rated at 40 percent effective from June 22, 1991, to May 7, 1996.,Effective from May 7, 1996, the veteran's fibromyalgia was rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The case is being remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted for fibromyalgia and costochondritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking fibromyalgia to his service or a service-connected condition, and determined that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, finding no evidence that it is related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, but granted a compensable (10%) rating for his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral knee and right ankle conditions. The left ankle disorder and right wrist disorder are also found to be secondary to these service-connected conditions.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, and her bilateral knee disorder has been granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression and fibromyalgia, finding that a timely notice of disagreement was not filed within one year of the November 1997 denial.

The Board finds that the veteran's fibromyalgia began during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome as incurred in active service due to exposure to the Persian Gulf.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia, as claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Briquet's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and a back disability. The evidence submitted since the last final denial did not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of a TDIU, finding that no claim was filed prior to October 6, 1993. The RO granted service connection and assigned a combined disability rating of 60% from March 14, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for her service-connected fibromyalgia and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions. The claim for secondary skin disability was not addressed as it pertained to a different issue.

The veteran's service connection for headaches is granted, and his fibromyalgia receives a non-compensable initial rating of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, right and left wrist median nerve compression, fibromyalgia, and folliculitis were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during or after service.