Fibromyalgia decisions — 2014

The Veteran's abdominal scars have been rated at 20 percent since January 2009, reflecting the pain and instability of the three scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and breast lump. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted.,PTSD was initially granted with a higher rating from July 31, 2007 to November 11, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia, erectile dysfunction, and Morton's neuroma with degenerative joint disease. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia with Raynaud's phenomenon is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current, chronic disabilities involving his right knee, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or fibromyalgia. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension, was related to his service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been rated at the maximum disability rating of 40 percent since the effective date of service connection, as it is characterized by constant widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and a respiratory disorder manifested by shortness of breath, both claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection and granted them, finding new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for ED. The Veteran's ED is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment prior to December 26, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material. The claims for respiratory disorder (sarcoidosis), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, and right ankle disorder were also denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is part of her service-connected fibromyalgia symptomatology and not a separate disability.,The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome symptoms are also part of her service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and fibromyalgia, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have fibromyalgia, and there is no current evidence of a qualifying chronic disability related to his service. The skin condition, headaches, and respiratory disorder are attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and depression are found to be related to his service, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during active duty. The musculoskeletal disorder claim is being remanded for further examination.