Fibromyalgia decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her so helpless that she requires regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. She also meets the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The decision is based on the existing evidence and applicable rating criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a sleep disorder, muscle discomfort as secondary to PTSD and headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, with an additional 10 percent rating for the scar resulting from surgery in September 2008.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including a new VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and a psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression. The Veteran's claims were based on his participation in the military and potential Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, C5-6, and service connection for fibromyalgia, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and wrists were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's right foot disability is found to be aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities, warranting service connection. The claims for fibromyalgia, a rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability, and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and fibromyalgia, as well as his claim for an increased rating for foot dermatitis and eczema of the face, were all denied by the RO. The Veteran was exposed to loud noises in service but did not have a current disability that meets VA criteria for hearing loss or fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have had its onset during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia has been withdrawn. The issues of entitlement to a higher initial rating for adjustment disorder and entitlement to TDIU are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for fibromyalgia, which she claims is secondary to her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The RO/AMC must seek VA outpatient treatment records and arrange for the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination to determine if any fibromyalgia disability is due to or aggravated by her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by a rheumatologist to determine if the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities or caused by a fall from a telephone pole in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of fibromyalgia, hypertension, or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities being related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and denied service connection for fibromyalgia. The Veteran's PTSD is presumed to be due to military sexual trauma during service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations. IBS is presumed to be related to service in the Gulf War. Fibromyalgia was not found to be incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lupus, and restless leg syndrome. The claim for increased ratings for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding service connection claims, specifically loss of use of a creative organ and fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and assigned an initial rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible level (70 percent). Ratings higher than 20 percent, 10 percent, or 10 percent are denied for fibromyalgia, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of her National Guard service and a VA examination to determine if her current conditions were aggravated by military service. The claim for higher rating for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is also being remanded.