Fibromyalgia decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left shoulder disability that is attributable to military service or to a service-connected disability. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation, right shoulder, have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective November 14, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection, with the condition of fibromyalgia being attributed to a clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran's claimed joint disability and skin disorder are not service-connected due to lack of objective indications of a chronic disability.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including headaches and hypertension, all claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to confusion in the Veteran's medical history and overlap of symptoms with his already service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's fibromyalgia, finding that it is related to her active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the neck, arthritis of the arms with numbness of both hands, degenerative arthritis of the back, and fibromyalgia of the upper extremities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is service-connected, with her previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis during service being considered as new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence regarding both the lumbar spine disorder and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right side nerve condition and left inguinal hernia have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active service or related to his service.,For the increased rating claim, the Veteran has provided new medical records indicating deterioration in his hearing since his last examination.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for rotoscoliosis with bilateral sacroiliac pain, muscle spasm and tenderness (claimed as thoracolumbar scoliosis) was granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia due to service in Southwest Asia was also granted. The decision did not address the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and fibromyalgia are found to be aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The March 2006 rating decision denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic fibromyalgia. The RO did not have a power-of-attorney in place at that time allowing Mr. Carpenter to file an NOD on behalf of the Veteran, and no timely appeal was filed within one year from the date of notification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring compliance with the requested action.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and fibromyalgia, as well as the increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between her conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is causally and etiologically related to his injuries during active service.