Fibromyalgia decisions — 2010

The Veteran's symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and the Board finds that he does not have a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is service-connected and granted compensation benefits. The claims for increased ratings for asthma, sesamoiditis, left lower lung fibrosis, and eczema are remanded due to evidence of worsening since the last examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is attributable to service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for hypertension was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia, inflammatory connective tissue disease (CTD), and chronic inflammatory joint disease of a seronegative type was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was found to be incurred in active service in Southwest Asia. The symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and loss of concentration are already associated with his service-connected PTSD and not secondary to undiagnosed illness or otherwise incurred during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected fibromyalgia is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's spondyloarthropathy and fibromyalgia are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back injury, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss but noted that further action was required due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hemorrhoids were granted service connection, with a compensable rating for hemorrhoids assigned effective August 9, 2005.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for fibromyalgia, as it is recognized as a presumptively associated undiagnosed illness due to active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a sleep disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition, and the symptoms have been attributed to his diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no competent and persuasive evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of a denial on the merits for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the other claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing at the Winston-Salem VARO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and verifying stressors related to PTSD. A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of IBS, sleep disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's chronic muscle fatigue/ fibromyalgia is a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations and may be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disability did not have its onset during active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted, with the effective date set at October 18, 2004.