Fibromyalgia decisions — 2004

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for lumbar strain and narrowing of L5-S1, effective September 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including amblyopia and anopsia of the right eye, fungal infection (onychomycosis) of the hands and feet, stomach disorder, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia of the left eye, tinnitus, vertigo, fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims were denied as not well grounded or without evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, did not originate during service or is otherwise attributable to any incident, injury, or disease of active service. The claim for fibromyalgia was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The VA has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from University of Michigan Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital. The veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The VA has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's fibromyalgia was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not causally related to or otherwise aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, fibromyalgia at 20 percent, and hiatal hernia with acid reflux disease at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability. The veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted an initial rating of 10% for fibromyalgia.

The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia, thoracic spine disorder (to include thoracic outlet syndrome), and residuals of a fracture of the left clavicle with impingement as secondary to the veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities. The rating for right shoulder disability was increased from 20% to 30%, and the initial rating for bullous emphysema was increased to 60%. A temporary total disability evaluation for convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 beyond October 31, 1992, was granted.

The Board found no evidence of current left knee or skin disabilities and denied service connection for multiple joint arthritis, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for presbyopia and entitlement to an increased rating for fibromyalgia are pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted, and she is now eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand disabilities, IBS, and generalized fibromyalgia, are not service connected. The decision is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and denied service connection for fibromyalgia. The veteran's migraine headaches were first diagnosed in active service, while her fibromyalgia was not related to service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination used in determining his disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's cervical spine disorder and fibromyalgia are related to his service-connected disability from right (major) thoracic outlet syndrome with right long thoracic nerve palsy.

The Board found that the veteran's subjective complaints of musculoskeletal pain, apart from those associated with his gunshot wound residuals, were not incurred in active duty and are not etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, cervical cancer/dysplasia, ear disorder (otitis media and externa), nasal disorder (upper respiratory infections and sinusitis), headache disorder, jaw disorder, cervical spine disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence received since the October 1993 rating decision does not show that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, which he claimed as aching joints, and for a compensable disability rating for residuals of rheumatic fever. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for specially adaptive housing, special home adaptation, and aid and attendance benefits due to conflicting opinions and incomplete medical records.