Fibromyalgia decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hypertension are denied. The claim for increased rating of headaches as a result of traumatic brain injury is granted to the extent that he is entitled to a 50% disability rating. The appeal regarding service connection for back condition is granted due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including dementia, chronic pancreatitis, and various neuropathies. The SMC rating is at the P-2 level.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral leg pain, claimed as fibromyalgia, due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided the initial rating for chronic sinusitis prior to May 15, 2019 and denied a higher rating thereafter. The claims for service connection of left foot disability, right foot disability, fibromyalgia, back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, but the Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran has a separate evaluation of 30 percent for her right forearm disability. The Veteran also received an increased rating for her PTSD.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for cardiopulmonary disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a spine condition manifesting in back pain, including fibromyalgia and degenerative arthritis, paralysis of the sciatic nerve of both lower extremities, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The remaining issues have been denied due to insufficient evidence or lack of nexus between service and current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to cooperate with VA examinations and provide pertinent records. The claims include PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disability (bronchitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen each individual claim.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and private treatment records from Rothman Orthopedics, Jefferson Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Orthopedic Clinic.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for undiagnosed condition – systemic disease prior to April 3, 2015, and CFS and fibromyalgia since April 3, 2015, are both denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain and fatigue, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining additional medical opinions to clarify the nature of the Veteran’s conditions and their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of vaccinations analogous to Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's claims are based on her self-reported history of experiencing symptoms shortly after receiving multiple vaccines in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, and skin disability were denied as the earliest date that entitlement arose is August 7, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterolemia, chronic gastritis, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, right shoulder disorder, chronic left rib cage pain, chronic chest pain (including tendonitis/costochondritis), right wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left calf disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities) have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has also been granted, but the Board has remanded it due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal disorder are granted service connection due to their onset during his Southwest Asia service. The claims for hypertension and left heel spur have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected lichen planus. His chronic pneumonia and bilateral eye disability are denied.