Fibromyalgia decisions — 2020

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for depression, bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and hidradenitis suppurativa was granted. The claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia remains denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision is new and material, thus reopening the claim. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia and an effective date earlier than June 14, 2014, for the award of a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, thus the claims for service connection and evaluation of a left kidney cyst are dismissed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including skin disability (chloracne), hyperhidrosis, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, epistaxis, and eye disability. The AOJ is instructed to complete all requested actions from the August 2018 remand.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include reopening of previously denied claims, as well as new diagnoses and relationships between current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for updated examinations.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome due to CUE in previous decisions, as the evidence did not establish clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its related peripheral neuropathies as well as high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea, all of which were claimed to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis with severe ascites, kidney failure, bilateral edema of legs and feet, and fibromyalgia due to a lack of an opinion on their etiology. The cause of death is also being remanded as it is related to hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), gastrointestinal disorder (other than IBS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), neurological disorder, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disorder, and memory problems, are not related to his active service. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted. The housebound claim is moot as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for acetabular labral tearing and cartilage injury of the left hip, fibromyalgia (secondary to PTSD), and sleep apnea (both secondary to PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral chondromalacia patella with arthroscopic knee surgeries, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, right salpingectomy/oophorectomy, total hysterectomy, right ovarian wedge resection, hearing loss, tinnitus, proctalgia fugax, and left parietal meningioma. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The VA will need to review new evidence, including VA treatment records, and schedule an examination to assess the current severity of her fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, and the Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal and gastric ulcers, chronic B-12 deficiency with liver enzyme disorder, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, schizoaffective mood disorder, bipolar type, and pain disorder due to psychological and general medical conditions), a skin disorder (recurring back cysts), fibromyalgia, hyperlipidemia, a neurological disorder (to include waist-down paralysis, seizures, blackouts, neuropathy, and Morton’s neuroma), arthritis, hypertension, a thyroglossal duct cyst, and T10-11 spinal osteophyte and degenerative disc disease with muscle pain spasm and lower back-leg weakness (thoracolumbar spine disorder).

An effective date of December 7, 2010 for the grant of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is granted.,An initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims due to uncertainty about his periods of active duty in October 1995.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.