Fibromyalgia decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran is granted a temporary total rating (TTR) following left knee surgery, effective from the date of hospital admission and continuing for up to one year.,The Veteran's claims for right knee pain, low back pain, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology or relationship to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the cases of PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis in the arms, elbows, legs, sleep apnea, colon disorder, corns on the feet, fibromyalgia, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and fibromyalgia, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis. His fibromyalgia claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on migraines, generalized anxiety disorder, and lumbar strain have been dismissed. Her fibromyalgia has been granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities rendering her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of his claimed conditions are related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran now meets the criteria for both service connection and a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability, due to a lack of clarity in the VA medical opinion provided. The Veteran's attorney submitted two articles that suggest an association between sleep apnea and psychiatric disabilities, which needs further clarification.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, sore muscles (now claimed as fibromyalgia), gastrointestinal disability, and joints disability have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 18, 2014 for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia was denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for fibromyalgia was denied as his disability is already at its highest possible rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, arthralgias, and chest pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The appeal to establish that a Substantive Appeal of the September 29, 2014 rating decision was timely filed is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to January 9, 2013, for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected PTSD and/or chronic fatigue syndrome. The cases for autoimmune disease, connective tissue disorder, residuals of gall bladder removal, breast cancer, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and a respiratory disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need to provide updated contact information and undergo further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as a presumptive disability due to Persian Gulf service, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle/joint pain disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, fibromyalgia, and GERD have been granted. The claim for service connection for muscle/joint pain disorder was reopened due to new evidence relating to a current disability. Service connection has been established for the other conditions based on direct evidence of their existence during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, parasitic bowel disease (now claimed as IBS), and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected right and left foot disabilities.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claim has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of fibromyalgia as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not establish a link between the condition and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.