Fibromyalgia decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, a skin disorder, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms (muscle twitches), cardiovascular disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders (claimed as mesothelioma), and GERD. The decision also addressed an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of the knees, but denied service connection for a cardiac disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are in equipoise with respect to whether they are aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for fibromyalgia was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 22, 2010, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The low back disability is considered secondary to his service-connected cervical spine arthritis, while fibromyalgia is found to be secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hiatal hernia, hypertension, GERD, bowel disorder, and sleep disorder due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service, including exposure in the Gulf War theater. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's generalized musculoskeletal symptoms, including pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia after service, were incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the lack of notice regarding an earlier scheduled hearing. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is now service connected for a mood disorder, but not for chloracne, psoriasis, IBS, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or residuals of frostbite.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral posterior tibial tendonitis, and residuals of frostbite of the second toe of the left foot as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The claim for constipation was granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's tachycardia, as likely as not, had its onset during a period of active service between March 2006 and May 2006. Service connection for tachycardia is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for high cholesterol, sleep apnea, night sweats, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder), fibromyalgia, and a bilateral leg disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The claims for a bilateral foot disability are not on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection, except for fibromyalgia which may be presumed as having been sustained as a result of his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, as it is secondary to a pre-existing low back disability.,Hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a neck disability, a back disability, fibromyalgia, and a disorder manifested by chest pain are granted.

The Veteran's complaints of flu-like symptoms and fatigue are attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia and PTSD, and the Board finds that these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection as an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.