Fibromyalgia decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is not related to any in-service symptoms or events, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's headache disorder is secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His insomnia, diagnosed as chronic sleep impairment due to PTSD, is part of his service-connected disability rating for PTSD. The VA examiner found no evidence of fibromyalgia or muscle cramps and joint pains that could be attributed to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions are not supported by sufficient evidence to warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The case is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities affect her ability to work, either individually or in aggregate. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his bronchial asthma did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been rated at 40 percent since July 9, 2008. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant an increase.

The Veteran has a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the disability manifested to a sufficient degree following her separation from service, warranting service connection based on the presumption in favor of Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as the Veteran did not report for a scheduled VA examination, and the claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims regarding connective tissue disease, lupus, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that his impairment was analogous to forward flexion greater than 15 degrees without spinal ankylosis or prescribed bed rest.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to her military service or her service-connected PTSD with MDD. For the entire period on appeal, the occupational and social impairment from PTSD more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas; total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if her fibromyalgia and polyarthralgia/rheumatoid arthritis are related to her service-connected bladder disability, and to verify her Persian Gulf war service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his fibromyalgia and determining whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of fibromyalgia began during her active duty service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing to address all issues on appeal.