Fibromyalgia decisions — 2016

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period, after accounting for his baseline disability level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety) due to his in-service experiences. The claim for fibromyalgia/joint pain involving the shoulders, knees and hands is considered as part of this grant. The issue regarding non-service connected pension benefits remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome or SEID. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's right hip disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective January 15, 2013. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 40%. The fibromyalgia and insomnia are separately rated.,A TDIU was granted effective July 20, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar strain prior to June 20, 2012 and TDIU prior to January 15, 2011 was granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD, and fibromyalgia due to inadequate development. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of the back and left hip has been withdrawn.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which she claims is related to her service-connected rhino sinusitis and/or fibromyalgia. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including alopecia, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, osteoarthropathy of the right and left knees, have been granted with a 10 percent rating for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a procedural deficiency where the statement of the case was not sent in time. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond and may submit additional information or evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for arthritis of the cervical spine and fibromyalgia with chronic pain syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that her PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault. The Veteran's other psychiatric disorders (unspecified psychotic disorder and borderline personality disorder), headache disorder, fibromyalgia, and fibroid tumors are not found to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a bilateral ankle disability. The remaining conditions are associated with fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and updating the Veteran's treatment records. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for fibromyalgia and its residuals of a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was increased to a 40 percent evaluation effective February 11, 2014.

The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his military service. Service connection was granted for these conditions based on their presumptive relationship with his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of IBS and service connection for cholecystectomy, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasm, muscle tension headaches, and memory loss have been granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities. The VA examinations conducted in December 2014 are inadequate, and additional medical opinions are required.