Fibromyalgia decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the issues on appeal, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and providing a VA psychiatrist with an opinion regarding the etiology of any psychiatric disability.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for fibromyalgia of the upper back with suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, which was previously rated at 20 percent. The VA has ordered additional development to assess the current severity and functional impairment caused by this condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and fibromyalgia.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her complete medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of her diagnosed fibromyalgia.

The Board determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia first manifested during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back disorder (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), hypertension, edema of the feet, ankles, hands, abdomen, and face, diabetes mellitus, abnormal laboratory findings, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, liver disability (to include cirrhosis), respiratory (lung) disability, osteoarthritis of the major and minor joints, eye disability, tremors of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, headaches with dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, chronic Candida, low back pain with pain radiating into the hips (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), an acquired hamstring disorder, an acquired bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral elbow disorder. However, service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, finding that the preponderance of evidence indicated the veteran does not have fibromyalgia caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as it is caused by the veteran's service-connected low back strain with lumbar disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic fibromyalgia, and chronic lip laceration residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for fibromyalgia with history of depression, currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication, including the consideration of her claims for increased ratings for service-connected disabilities and a TDIU. The RO must also obtain all relevant medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased disability ratings for sinusitis and fibromyalgia, leaving only the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for a cervical spine disorder and entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left ankle strain, as well as his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an undiagnosed illness. The issues were remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's rating for fibromyalgia from 40 to 20 percent is void ab initio due to lack of improvement in his condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of a denial of service connection for PTSD. The joint aches and fatigue/weight fluctuation/memory loss claims are considered as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service.

The veteran's disability due to undiagnosed illness during her service in the Persian Gulf War is presumed and granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left upper extremity and myofascial pain syndrome/fibromyalgia of the neck and shoulders, as these conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The RO granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the veteran's psoriatic arthritis of multiple joints with fibromyalgia of plantar foot tendons from September 1, 2000, through March 10, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection grants of PTSD, bilateral pingueculae, and a gastrointestinal disorder classified as 'gastritis with esophagitis and duodenitis'.