Fibromyalgia decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia is related to active service, but there is no current musculoskeletal back disorder linked to active service. The issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD remains moot due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia and blurred vision. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia, finding that the veteran's symptoms were already encompassed within the current 40 percent rating.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent, the highest available under the rating criteria.,From June 10, 1995 to October 24, 2001, her chondromalacia of both knees was evaluated as zero percent disabling. As of October 25, 2001, she is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each knee.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking fibromyalgia or any disability to service, including service in the Persian Gulf. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to various conditions and injuries during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, fatigue, multiple joint pain, headaches, and a skin rash due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred during active military service or are related to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of fibromyalgia to her military service and denied her claim.

The Board denied service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus and an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating. The veteran's claims were based on reopened evidence, but there was no objective medical evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and fibromyalgia, finding that her symptoms did not represent an underlying disability of the knees or a separate condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibrositis warrants a 10 percent evaluation from May 7, 1996, and his right shoulder disorder also warrants a 10 percent evaluation effective from August 31, 1992. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations are granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorder and eye disorder (blurred vision) due to mechanical/aging processes, while granting service connection for fibromyalgia.