Fibromyalgia decisions — 2017

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, claimed as painful and swelling joints, has been granted service connection due to its presumed relation to Gulf War service. The Board also found that the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The right ankle tibiotalar degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent, but no higher due to lack of ankylosis. The noncompensable scar rating remained unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and qualifying active service or a service-connected disability, including PTSD. For the increased rating claim for PTSD, the Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against a finding that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas as of July 17, 2008, but not earlier. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective May 18, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and she is granted a TDIU rating due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection as they are considered qualifying chronic disabilities under the provisions of the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and low back disability were granted staged increases in ratings, with the fibromyalgia receiving a maximum rating of 40 percent and the low back disability receiving a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, as his combined disability rating is at least 60% since November 30, 2006. The Board found that the multiple service-connected disabilities (PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus) are treated as a single disability rated at 60%. The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, with the exception of a reopened claim for left foot condition. The bilateral knee disability and other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and testing related to a potential diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to her military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to her death, and the Board's December 1, 2016 remand is vacated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for compartmental exhaustion syndrome of the bilateral ankles, bacterial vaginosis, tingling and numbness of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, fibromyalgia, and obesity. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or right ankle and bilateral leg disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a right ankle disability, residuals of low back injury, right lower extremity sciatica, sinusitis, rhinitis, IBS, and GERD. The decision also addressed reopening of his claim for service connection for asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and fibromyalgia, did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 19, 2013.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia. The previously denied claim is therefore not reopened.