Fibromyalgia decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and a hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records, verifying service in the Persian Gulf War, and arranging for examinations to assess her fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pain, migraine headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are likely traceable to his period of active military duty, while the status of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle pain remains unknown.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and depression, as well as her service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease. The decision also noted that she had withdrawn her appeal regarding a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for connective tissue disease, lupus, or fibromyalgia. The claims for hepatitis B and C are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to these conditions. The claim for residuals of a ruptured breast implant is also denied due to lack of current medical evidence supporting the existence of any residual disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue have been granted. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his in-service pain and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, cervical spine, stomach, right hip, right knee, or right ankle disorders. The adjustment disorder is rated at 50% and no higher.

The Veteran's combined effects of service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is granted. The reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for fibromyalgia was improper, and restoration of the 40 percent rating is warranted. Evidence pertaining to a back disability received since the May 1997 decision is new and material, and the claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is found to have been aggravated by active service.,Fibromyalgia was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain more complete opinions regarding the etiology of fibromyalgia, including consideration of lay evidence and the possibility of aggravation by service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia (including headaches) and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted effective July 28, 2008. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are earlier than initially requested by the Veteran.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish its onset during service or relate it to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to the appellant's failure to provide necessary identifying information and releases for critical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the bilateral knees and ankles, claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and need for clarification regarding her diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or fibromyalgia, and her lipomas do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.