Fibromyalgia decisions — 2018

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation, stroke, blindness, and chronic fatigue are not service-connected as they were not present during his military service or linked to his service-connected disabilities.,Fibromyalgia was also denied as it was not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The issues include fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a headache disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of all joints, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to incomplete development. The effective dates for service connection are not being granted as they arose on January 26, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia as secondary to PTSD, and chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to PTSD. The claim for gastric disorder (IBS and GERD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of left knee flexion prior to February 20, 2018. The Veteran's fibromyalgia was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right forearm fracture, left foot spurs, bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and breathing problems (bronchitis), have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent, and she is granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes that the Veteran's symptoms are not refractory to therapy.

Service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and heart disease has been granted.,Service connection for a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and hypertension due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's medical records indicate diagnoses of these conditions, but further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, joint pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied as there is no medical evidence supporting these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pain disorder, claimed as fibromyalgia and/or lupus, is denied. The Board found that her abdominal adhesions with spastic colon warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that there is no evidence of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or a disability manifested by dizziness and tingling in the extremities due to service. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been determined to be permanently disabling, allowing for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits since March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2008. Effective June 1, 2008, the Veteran also had additional disabilities totaling over 60 percent disabling, qualifying for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation, and no higher rating can be granted based on functional loss. The claims for increased ratings for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea, a neck disorder, left hand disability (held in abeyance), and a left shoulder disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted an initial 20% rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability effective June 25, 2013. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and she is considered disabled by the Social Security Administration due to her service-connected psychiatric disabilities. TDIU and DEA are granted from August 25, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.