Fibromyalgia decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, rating for fibromyalgia with constipation, sinus disability, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, and hysterectomy. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, scoliosis, bilateral ankle disorder (shin splints), fibromyalgia, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,The Veteran's pes planus was noted at the time of entrance into service but did not permanently worsen in active service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and left shoulder disability have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The current rating of 10% for fibromyalgia is maintained, but an increased rating for the left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a change in disability ratings that may affect SMC eligibility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and incomplete medical examinations. The appeals are also remanded for additional examination reports addressing functional impairment during flare-ups, neurological complaints, and whether post-traumatic headaches are a TBI residual.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted. The appeal regarding the nasal disorder is still pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied. The claim of TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's headaches, heart condition, and memory loss were not found to be related to service.,Fibromyalgia was diagnosed in September 2018 but its etiology remains unclear.

The Veteran's depression and fibromyalgia are granted as secondary to his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's claim for Gulf War Syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for numbness and pain of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for headaches (claimed as migraine headaches) has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.,The Veteran's claim for a right knee scar has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint and muscle pain, claimed as fibromyalgia, to include a chronic qualifying disability, is denied because there is no evidence of an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness other than irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's insomnia is granted as service-connected and proximately due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's alopecia does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during the period of the claim.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as it was not incurred in service or related to service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied as they were not incurred in service or related to service.,Service connection for fibromyalgia prior to September 21, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and hidradenitis suppurativa have been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the type of treatment received.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU prior to March 17, 2017 is granted. The effective date of service connection for fibromyalgia remains August 14, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, fibromyalgia (due to an undiagnosed illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (due to an undiagnosed illness), and respiratory disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and fibromyalgia should be remanded due to incomplete information about his military service, lack of medical opinions addressing causation or aggravation, and need for clarification on Persian Gulf veteran status.