Fibromyalgia decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted initial separate ratings of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from December 31, 2008 to June 19, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the left knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent from June 20, 2016 to July 10, 2017 for degenerative arthritis, right knee, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter under Diagnostic Code 5257 was denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for chest pain and fibromyalgia, increases in the staged ratings for a lumbar spine disability, and ankylosing spondylitis. Additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the directives of the February 2019 Remand.

The Veteran's employment as a machinist laborer from 2002 to 2014 was considered substantially gainful employment, and he did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date of TDIU prior to May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board is directed to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s claimed gynecological disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and uncompleted tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches. The other claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is sought for fibromyalgia, generalized muscle weakness and aching (due to an undiagnosed illness), and respiratory disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness). Additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, cold injury residuals, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder of the feet, fibromyalgia, stroke with left-side balance impairment, headaches (migraines), degenerative bone disease, heart disability, muscle pain and soreness, and a left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection on a secondary basis are remanded due to issues regarding the foreseeability of statin-induced side effects and the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are service-connected. However, the claim for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no evidence to support a direct connection to service. The right-hand condition (claimed as tremors) requires further examination to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, and other conditions. The issues of TDIU prior to October 22, 2010 and SMC based on aid and attendance from another are also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a nerve disability was granted, and he was awarded service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, headache disability, and TDIU. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete nexus opinions in the VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's thoracic herniated disc condition was restored to a 40% rating, and he was granted service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain. Service connection for a right hip disorder (other than right hip pain associated with fibromyalgia) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia as they are not linked to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues with the rating assigned for fibromyalgia and TDIU prior to November 30, 2015. The issue of increased evaluation for MDD from May 3, 2005, to November 30, 2015, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and headaches have been granted service connection, with a rating of 40 percent for fibromyalgia effective from June 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. Additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.