Fibromyalgia decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for gout and increased the rating to 60 percent, effective from March 1, 2009. The claims for fibromyalgia and left hand disorder were not addressed as they are not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 29, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted on a presumptive basis due to her Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, thyroid disability, gastrointestinal disability, upper respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), skin disorder, and hysterectomy are related to service. As such, these claims have been granted.,The Board has also found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, thyroid disability, gastrointestinal disability, upper respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), skin disorder, and hysterectomy are related to service. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia due to a Joint Motion from the Court, which requires an addendum medical opinion and consideration of whether fibromyalgia is related to tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have fibromyalgia during service or due to herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and remanded the issue of service connection for asthma.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia and whether it is related to her service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issue of service connection for community acquired pneumonia. The claim of service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. No current diagnoses were found for right shoulder disorder, gout, polyarthralgia, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Service connection was not granted for gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's IBS and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection as they are considered manifestations of medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. The Gulf War Syndrome claim, including CFS, remains pending due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and back disabilities.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is considered service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his active duty service. The examiner noted no onset during service and lack of etiological link.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by joint pain is dismissed as it has been resolved in her favor with the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, residuals of a TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of CFS, COPD, and Fibromyalgia. The VA examinations and opinions have concluded that these conditions are not related to her military service.,There was no mention or diagnosis of any of these conditions in her STRs, and they were first diagnosed many years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depression and dysthymic disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling for the period prior to February 22, 2017.,Fibromyalgia was initially rated at 40 percent from December 13, 2012 to October 6, 2014. The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for the period prior to December 13, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent on and after October 7, 2014.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia resulted in constant or near-constant widespread pain and tender points symptoms throughout the appeal period, warranting a 40% rating.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is not addressed in this decision.