Fibromyalgia decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for fibromyalgia or residuals of a total left hip replacement as his conditions did not manifest during military service and are not related to such service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for fibromyalgia and dysthymic disorder, which she claims are related to her Reserve Service. The appeal is currently in remand status due to issues with notice and the correct address being used.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, including as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wounds of the feet and/or left knee, are being remanded due to scheduling error.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate examination for the Veteran's claimed fibromyalgia, lower back pain, and bilateral hip disability. The Veteran also needs proper notice on how to substantiate her claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fibromyalgia was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent prior to January 17, 2003 and 40 percent since that date.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as new and material evidence was received for some claims, but no effective date adjustments were granted due to the nature of the appeal. The Veteran's conditions continue to be rated based on existing evidence.

The Board denied all issues related to increased evaluations for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's pterygia of the left eye is granted service connection. The Board remanded other issues for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between her current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is service-connected, and he was granted a higher rating for his right foot disability. The effective dates for the service connection of depressive disorder, OSA, and fibromyalgia are established as December 19, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and examining the Veteran to determine if her current psychiatric and muscle disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for fibromyalgia, bilateral hip pain, and IBS was upheld at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear conclusions regarding the onset of the Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome, which may be related to her military service.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the conditions claimed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim and that the condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS and fibromyalgia are separate disabilities from his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, warranting separate disability ratings. The Veteran is now rated at a 40 percent for fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed fibromyalgia is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety neurosis with depressive features, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, which is manifested by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points that are nearly constant and refractory to therapy, has been found to warrant a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for an adequate etiological opinion regarding the onset of fibromyalgia.