Fibromyalgia decisions — 2008

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to July 30, 2002 for a 30 percent disability evaluation for atopic dermatitis. The issues of TDIU termination and increased evaluations for PTSD, neurological syndrome, fibromyalgia-like illness, and arthritis remain pending.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and other conditions were denied.,Service connection was not established for fibromyalgia, residuals of a back injury, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, chronic pain, atypical chest pain, psoriasis, arthritis of multiple joints, or cervical spine disability.

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

Service connection has been granted for fibrocystic disease of the breasts and residuals of bilateral shin splints. The other conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The depression claim was also granted as it is secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus. The veteran was also denied service connection for hyperlipidemia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and concluding that the veteran's symptoms were not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the claims for service connection and increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, brain scar, seizures, optic neuritis, neuropathy of bilateral hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia as there was no competent medical evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to her active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and migraines, finding that there was not sufficient medical evidence to establish a direct link between her current conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any disability due to undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's fibromyalgia was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied her claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the skin disorder being attributed to new and material evidence. The knee disabilities received increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia symptoms, including widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms, have been constant since June 4, 1993. As a result, the Board has granted an initial 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia effective from that date.

The veteran's chronic recurrent episodes of fatigue are determined to be due to an undiagnosed illness and incurred during active service.

The veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, a higher rating for dyshidrotic eczema from August 30, 2002, and a higher rating for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/Epstein Barr virus (EBV) as these conditions are presumed to have been incurred during a period of active duty for training.

The veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions including lumbosacral strain with arthritis, left ankle sprain post-operative changes, fibromyalgia, hysterectomy and major depressive disorder. The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude her from walking without assistance, warranting specially adapted housing but not a special home adaptation grant.