Fibromyalgia decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for chronic pain and entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 14, 2019 due to errors in previous decisions.

Service connection for GERD is granted. The Veteran's myofascial pain, including both the lower and upper back areas, is remanded to determine if it is related to service-connected disabilities or aggravated by them. Service connection for fibromyalgia is also remanded due to incomplete information in the June 2020 VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for fatigue and joint pain (fibromyalgia) due to a lack of VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's symptoms may be related to his service-connected disabilities, but further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and initial ratings for disabilities, including fluoroquinolone toxicity, fibromyalgia, drug and alcohol dependency, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, and a low back disability. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia. The issues of a higher rating for fibromyalgia, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran contends her symptoms began shortly after arriving at Midway Island, but a November 2020 examiner found no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, and a cognitive disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,There are also no indications that any of these conditions are related to Gulf War service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia with irritable bowel syndrome was granted on March 20, 2012. The Board found that the effective date should be March 20, 2012, as it is the later of the date of claim and the date entitlement arose.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle complex regional pain syndrome and fibromyalgia due to her withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic headaches, right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The decision is binding only for this specific matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, gastrointestinal condition, and fibromyalgia due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and remanded the issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA addendum opinion to address whether any of the claimed conditions are related to service-connected bilateral hearing loss or MDD and associated medications, as well as a link between fibromyalgia and muscle spasms/strain of the legs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbance has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable colon syndrome, GERD, small bundle fiber neuropathy, a low back disorder, sleep disorders, hypogammaglobulinemia, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for right ear hearing loss for service connection purposes.,There is no evidence of chronic bronchitis during or within one year after service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,No in-service knee, shoulder, or back disability was found. Service connection for these disabilities is denied.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is already service connected and does not preclude the granting of separate ratings for other joint conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from October 3, 2019. The other claims were either denied or remanded.,Service connection for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches was not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 6, 2005 for her TDIU due to service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation since at least October 2004.