Fibromyalgia decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, a respiratory disorder, and a headache disorder is granted. The claims for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's spouse is in need of aid and attendance due to her medical conditions, including osteoporosis, retinal macular degeneration, and multiple spinal issues. The Board has determined that she requires regular assistance from others to sustain herself and protect her from daily hazards.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at a 20 percent disability level, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent based on the frequency and severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder and fibromyalgia, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or post-service. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered the cause of his current sleep disorders and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia and CFS are not service-connected.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right-hand nerve injury is denied.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder is remanded.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are remanded.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder and for a right shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches are granted service connection. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and fibromyalgia are granted service connection. Service connection for RUE thoracic outlet syndrome, LUE thoracic outlet syndrome, and skin disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing a VA examination.

The Veteran's fuel oil heating system was replaced due to its production of airborne irritants that aggravated his service-connected restrictive lung disease. The Board found the replacement necessary and granted HISA benefits for this modification.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) before July 31, 2014 was dismissed due to the procedural error of granting a TDIU while the issue was in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, myeloproliferative disorder, hyperparathyroidism, an autoimmune disease other than ulcerative colitis, and kidney stones have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to confirm his service in the Air Force Reserves and to obtain VA examinations to assess his COPD and any neurological and/or muscle disease.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the condition is a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness and presumptively related to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia granted effective March 8, 2012 has resulted in a combined evaluation of 40 percent. The Veteran established entitlement to dependency benefits for his ex-spouse and biological child within one year of the April 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for eye disability was granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, stomach conditions, and migraine headaches were all granted with effective dates ranging from May 5, 2017 to June 23, 2017. The Veteran's low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability, seizures, and TDIU claim are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sacroiliitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), traumatic brain injury residuals, left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, narcolepsy, and fibromyalgia have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle tendonitis was denied. The claim for fibromyalgia, a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to Southwest Asia service, was granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were both denied.