Fibromyalgia decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lupus has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, fifth metacarpal fracture residuals, chronic epididymitis, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have all been denied. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified in the decision summary provided.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome secondary to fibromyalgia, cognitive defects secondary to fibromyalgia, and sinusitis. The evidence supports the presence of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for generalized body stiffness, as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's condition is rated under DC 5025 for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, left ankle sprain residuals, sinusitis, and left ventricular hypertrophy with AV block are all granted as service-connected. The flat feet, allergic rhinitis, shortness of breath, hypertension, and IBS are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, and she is now receiving TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is not established. The VA examiner noted conflicting evidence regarding this condition.,Service connection for bilateral fungus in the external ears is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for nosebleeds is not established as no etiological opinion was provided by any VA examiner.,Service connection for asthma is not established. The Veteran's service records suggest LEEP was related to cervical dysplasia, but HPV status is unclear.,Service connection for renal cyst, left side is not established due to lack of a current diagnosis and the possibility that urinary frequency issues may be unrelated to the cyst.,Service connection for status post cervix loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is pending as it requires clarification regarding HPV status.,The Veteran's right knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since then. The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 0 percent (non-compensable). The VA examination did not comply with the requirements for a remand.,The Veteran's left shoulder scars are currently rated as non-compensable. A new VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of her shoulder scars and their associated symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and for additional development of his medical records.

Service connection for IBS, as due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness, is granted. Service connection for headaches, left arm condition, left wrist condition, right index finger injury, lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and right eye condition are denied. Service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, both as due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness, are also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), gastrointestinal disorder, and left upper extremity disorder as secondary to service-connected PTSD. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for knee disabilities, and providing an addendum opinion regarding GERD and cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been remanded for a new examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and meniscus injury, fibromyalgia, right ankle strain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine DDD with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings from specific dates. The Veteran is also receiving separate compensable ratings for instability and scars related to the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been granted, with a maximum of 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings for right-ear hearing loss and PTSD have not been addressed as they are already at the highest possible rating under VA regulations. The claim for service connection for left-ear hearing loss is reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in August 2007, but no specific rating has been assigned yet. The claims for cervical spine disorder and low back disorder have been granted with a maximum of 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 5025. The claim for erectile dysfunction remains pending.

The claims for service connection for scarring alopecia (claimed as hair loss) and PTSD have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits. The remaining issues, including sleep apnea, vestibular disorder other than vertigo, TBI, fibromyalgia, back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, eye disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder other than scarring alopecia, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various disabilities and an initial rating for fibromyalgia. The effective date of service connection for fibromyalgia is granted as May 13, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and an incorrect diagnosis by a VA examiner. The Veteran's fibromyalgia is being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and GI disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service symptoms and his current conditions.

Service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleeplessness (undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), depression, and jaw disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric and psychogenic pain disorder (claimed as PTSD, chronic pain syndrome, and muscle stiffness) is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.