Fibromyalgia decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of April 18, 2011 for the establishment of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD with major depression and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and further consideration for an extraschedular rating was denied. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted on either basis.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, foot disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.,There are no service treatment records or post-service medical records that document any diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) claim is also denied because there is no confirmed inservice stressor and the diagnosed conditions are more likely related to substance abuse rather than service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, sinusitis, amenorrhea, gastrointestinal disability, hemorrhoids, and headache disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is etiologically related to his active duty service, and granted service connection for this condition. The status of service connection for multiple joint arthritis (excluding bilateral shoulder arthritis) remains unknown.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic muscle pain, including entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 3.317, was granted by the Board after a remand and additional development.

The Board found that the Appellant did not become disabled due to a disability claimed as Lyme disease during his military service or from an injury incurred in the line of duty.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar strain and sacroiliitis, as well as fibromyalgia. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since her in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 12, 2007 through September 7, 2014.,PTSD is secondary to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 28, 2016. The RO granted a higher rating for PTSD from that date.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and his chronic diarrhea warrants a non-compensable rating.,Both conditions are not service-connected via a presumption or reopened on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined claim of service connection for fibromyalgia. The cause of death claim will be readjudicated after resolving this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot calluses and plantar wart disability is rated at 10 percent, effective September 26, 2011. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD has been rated at 30 percent since October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was not constant or nearly so, and his therapy had not been effective to treat the condition. Therefore, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 1, 2008, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during service or related to service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity nerve entrapment, residuals of frostbite of left foot, remains December 8, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied because she did not attend a VA examination scheduled in accordance with her increased rating claim without good cause.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, toe disability, psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity sciatic condition, right lower extremity sciatic condition, and fibromyalgia.