Fibromyalgia decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's disability meets the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 due to its presence during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations and its chronicity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia was denied because the notice of disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed within one year of the August 2016 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and muscle pain (also claimed as fibromyalgia) was also reopened and granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to her service-connected conditions. A new examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection as a qualifying chronic disability presumed to be causally related to his Southwest Asia service. The hypertension rating remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a headache disability, finding that there is no current disability to relate or attribute to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the Board found no nexus between her current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for migraine headaches, claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by his allergic rhinitis and/or sinusitis in light of the June 2017 VA examination and Dr. C.B.’s opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient reasons and bases for relying on the findings from the August 2016 VA examination report, which did not determine if the Veteran had an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for fibromyalgia is denied. The TDIU claim has been remanded due to the need for referral to C&P for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU award.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, PTSD and insomnia before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's Gulf War service. The disorders have been present for more than six months.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective dates have already been assigned, as no prior formal or informal claim was filed before January 5, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, with the exception of cervical hyperlordosis. The new evidence submitted supports reopening of the claims for tingling and numbness of the upper extremities and pharyngitis.,Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for sciatica of the right lower extremity and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,There is no evidence of fibromyalgia during the pendency of the claim. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic diarrhea is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further medical examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.