Fibromyalgia decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia was not manifested in service and a preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and fibromyalgia to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for secondary service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current lipomas, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The RO denied his claims for service connection in April 1982, which became final.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for dyshidrotic eczema was granted effective August 30, 2002. The effective date of the increase in rating is based on the change in the rating criteria for skin disorders which took effect on that date.,Effective April 13, 1995, and September 14, 2001, the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee were granted. The effective dates are based on informal claims received by VA prior to those dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not proximately due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, a vein disability (secondary to fibromyalgia), and a back disability (secondary to fibromyalgia) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board found that the veteran's fibromyalgia is due to a disease suffered during service and granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint pain, fibromyalgia, and gout as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are granted as there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of these conditions during service.

The veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for fibromyalgia prior to April 18, 2000 due to the lack of evidence showing symptoms that are episodic and often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the diagnosed conditions to service, including any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for fibromyalgia, which is secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from the Waco VA Medical Center.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia did not have a direct link to service. The conditions were either not shown to be caused by events in service or are too remote from service.

The veteran's service-connected headaches, fibromyalgia, and IBS have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2001. The effective date for service connection of fibromyalgia has been set to January 17, 2003. A TDIU is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied, and the effective date is set at October 9, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia was not incurred or aggravated during her active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to May 7, 1996 for a 40 percent rating for her service-connected musculoskeletal disability (including right iliotibial band syndrome, right trochanteric bursitis, and fibromyalgia). The criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, but the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for memory loss, irritability and lack of concentration (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness) is remanded.