Fibromyalgia decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings and service connection claims was dismissed without prejudice as the TDIU claim has been granted, which satisfied his entire appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, a back condition, erectile dysfunction, and skin cancer (including as due to herbicide agent exposure). As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to her service. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for muscle and joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, a skin disorder (claimed as acne), and headaches. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection and rated at 30%. The rating for fibromyalgia is denied. PTSD ratings prior to February 4, 2015, are denied. PTSD ratings from February 4, 2015, are also denied. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint aches and pains disorder, left knee disorder, fibromyalgia, and undiagnosed illness as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, joint pain, and fatigue syndrome as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active duty or exposure to herbicides.,VA examinations found no link between the Veteran’s current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, joint pain, and fatigue syndrome and his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia and service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were refractory to treatment and that his medication use aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, sacroiliitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential errors in the original claim or insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and a need for a more complete expert opinion regarding the Veteran's employability considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart condition, vision loss, back conditions, lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis, right hip condition, kidney failure, arthritis, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, varicose veins, carpal tunnel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with moderate generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder fracture, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as service connected, with a 10% disability rating.

Service connection for diabetes, fibromyalgia, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, sexual dysfunction (including erectile dysfunction), bladder cancer, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or complaints related to these conditions. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and benign lipoma of the left thigh status post excision and infected sebaceous cyst of the left axilla due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For dysthymia, the Veteran was granted a 50% rating, which reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, and diabetes due to new evidence received after the August 2013 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for tinea cruris, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, and fibromyalgia. Service connection was granted for shortness of breath.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of her IBS, GERD, chronic headache disability, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, and TDIU. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and her service-connected hepatitis C or polyarthritis.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with depression and insomnia. The Veteran's hypermobility syndrome, previously considered sacroiliitis, is remanded for further examination.