Fibromyalgia decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by lupus or fibromyalgia due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected loss of feeling in the upper extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The other conditions (headaches and fibromyalgia) are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion to differentiate between symptoms of major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia. The veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and an increased rating for major depressive disorder are pending.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have fibromyalgia and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to obtain additional evidence and determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed fibromyalgia, including whether it is related to service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War or a post-service work-related injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and insufficient medical evidence linking current fibromyalgia to her military service.

The veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for pulmonary granulamotous, fibromyalgia, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and a history of arthritic bone spurs were denied.,Pulmonary granulamotous is currently inactive and asymptomatic.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the claims, including consideration of new evidence from Dr. J.R.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder myositis and fibromyalgia, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia does not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, he is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation services.

The veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia and an initial compensable evaluation for low back disability was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches are caused by his service-connected fibromyalgia and tension headaches, and thus grants service connection for these symptoms.

The veteran was granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective March 18, 2000. The RO assigned an effective date of January 13, 2000 for the grant of these benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was reopened, and her increased ratings for stress fractures of the right and left legs were granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating from 40% to 10% for fibromyalgia with depression was proper and denied restoration of the original 40% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records from a cervical spine surgery at Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Virginia.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the lack of service medical records, and further development is required including obtaining her SMRs and personnel records. The veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed neck disorder, migraine headaches, and fibromyalgia.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral flat foot and toe pain, groin and pelvic pain, left leg disability, sacroiliac joint pain/hip pain, knee disability, and bone deterioration, are not shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have fibromyalgia and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher ratings for fibromyalgia and depression have been denied as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual disability due to marked interference with employment, frequent periods of hospitalization, or other factors rendering impracticable the application of regular schedular standards.