Fibromyalgia decisions — 2021

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia with fatigue and headaches (minor/dull).,Service connection is denied for a separate disability manifesting as fatigue.

The Veteran's PTSD to include alcohol use disorder in remission and anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective January 16, 2018.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with diffuse chronic musculoskeletal pain, insertional pain syndrome is rated at 40 percent, effective April 20, 2016.,The Veteran's IBS associated with PTSD is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 28, 2015. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to her service or any other condition. The Veteran needs a VA examiner to provide an opinion on these matters.

The Veteran's asthma, fibromyalgia, and kidney cancer are granted as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral leg pain (claimed as fibromyalgia), a lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding treatment records not being obtained.

The Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his right ankle sprain was withdrawn during the August 2021 hearing.,Claims for hypertension and ED, both secondary to PTSD, were denied in November 2016. No new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,Claims for left knee condition and right knee condition were also denied in December 2016. Again, no new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right ankle sprain rating was denied.,Service connection for IBS was granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia was denied.,A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, was granted for the left ankle condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on this appeal.,The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for numbness, muscle and joint pain, migraines, memory loss, and lower back conditions.,Claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of bladder cancer prior to January 19, 2021 is granted. The claim for a greater than 20 percent rating after that date is denied. Service connection for fibromyalgia and neck disability are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's fibromyalgia is directly related to his service, or if it is secondary to his already service-connected conditions. The VA must obtain an opinion on this matter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia and/or a disability characterized by chronic pain and fatigue has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. His symptoms are attributed to other diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied in a final June 2014 rating decision. The claim was reopened and granted effective May 10, 2016. The Veteran is also seeking an increased evaluation for his mixed vascular and tension headaches.

The Veteran's asthma and functional dyspepsia have been granted presumptive service connection. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her reported exposures at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during service. The claims are related to multiple conditions including chronic hepatitis A, compromised immune system, heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of service connection for left ankle disability, left eye disability, CFS, and fibromyalgia are all being remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are caused by her service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to these disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a neurological disorder claimed as a stroke. The issues of rating for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension of the right knee, limitation of extension of the left knee, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical strain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are being remanded for further development.,The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a neurological disorder claimed as a stroke. The issues of rating for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension of the right knee, limitation of extension of the left knee, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical strain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional consideration of new VA treatment records and readjudication in an SSOC.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory disability/allergic rhinitis and fatigue have been reopened.,Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia, PTSD, depressive disorder (secondary to PTSD and chronic sinusitis), sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis.