Fibromyalgia decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for Bell's palsy, hypertension, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hearing loss, bilateral knee arthritis, and gout were all denied as the conditions are not shown to have developed during active service or due to an established event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is found to have had onset in service and is related to her active military service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia and allergic rhinitis prevent him from engaging in gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU and eligibility for DEA benefits, both effective March 18, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, as well as a TDIU, is denied. The earliest effective dates assigned are June 2, 1994.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder is likely due to his service-connected cognitive disorder and fibromyalgia, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 23, 2006 for a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia and denied the Veteran's request to have her 20 percent evaluation for undiagnosed joint disorder (arthralgias) resumed from June 2006. The Board also found that separate ratings were not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make her unable to care for herself and she is in need of regular aid and attendance, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and IBS have been granted service connection as presumptively related to his military service in the Gulf War. The sleep disorder is considered a symptom of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hearing loss and joint pain are not related to service, but his tinnitus is related. The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for joint and muscle pain (fibromyalgia) due to new evidence. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking to have CUE found in rating decisions related to her service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claims are being remanded for the RO to provide a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, fibromyalgia, sleep disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's cardiovascular disease was initially manifested many years after service and is not shown to be related to his service or to have been caused by a service-connected disability.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, sleep disorder or gastrointestinal disorder (to include GERD, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, heartburn and IBS). The articles submitted do not establish a cause and effect relationship between PTSD and these conditions.

The Board found that there was credible supporting evidence of a personal assault during service, which led to PTSD. With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not incurred in or related to service and could not be presumed due to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not support finding that her current depression is caused by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the service connection claims.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of her service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism due to further development being needed.