Fibromyalgia decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder (to include irritable bowel syndrome), heart disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for temporary 100 percent evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities, service connection for various conditions, and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Claims to reopen service connection for right Achilles' tendonitis, right hand condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left ankle condition, left ring finger fracture, bilateral testicular pain, scar of the right occipital temporal area, left arm scar, seborrheic keratosis, fibromyalgia, IBS, diabetes mellitus, left elbow condition, gum damage and missing teeth, bilateral dry eyes, hyperlipidemia, and right elbow condition have been dismissed.,Claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates prior to July 6, 2018 for service connection of cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The claims for revision based on CUE in the reduction of ratings for left shoulder sprain with degenerative changes, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hallux valgus, TBI, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal joint pain of wrist, shoulders, and neck, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including cardiovascular issues, neuropsychological symptoms, CFS or CFIDS, fibromyalgia, CMV and EBV, hypothyroidism, mycoplasma, headaches, pituitary dysfunction, deficiencies in hormones, hypercoagulation state, respiratory problems, and menstrual disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions were related to service.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection due to CFS or CFIDS were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, an upper gastrointestinal disorder, fibromyalgia, and a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations. The Veteran's sexual assault and gastroenteritis are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for occipital neuralgia and remanded the claim for fibromyalgia due to a lack of discussion in the April 2020 decision regarding specific evidence, including the Veteran's statements about continuous symptoms since discharge.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a survivor's special monthly pension and a survivor's pension since September 1, 2011 due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rates (MAPRs).,The appellant was found not in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to her home due to disabilities. Her countable income exceeded the MAPRs for the relevant periods.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and sarcoidosis as they are considered presumptive conditions related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran meets the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a blood disorder (including anemia, pernicious anemia, and multifactorial pancytopenia) were denied as there is insufficient evidence to support these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia or any other qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for West Nile virus and its residuals is denied, as the condition is inactive with no residual symptoms. The TDIU claim is also denied due to insufficient evidence of unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, but has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, testicular pain (epididymitis), and diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome) due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain any outstanding treatment records and to request new VA opinions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The issues will be deferred until the private facility records can be obtained.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for unspecified skin condition, right and left ankle disabilities, lower back pain, right shoulder injury, and left shoulder injury due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower and upper extremity neurological disabilities and fibromyalgia due to potential exposure to toxic chemicals during service, but finds no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability, headaches, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left eye disability, and right eye disability. Additionally, an updated VA examination is needed for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's GERD and vasomotor rhinitis are service-connected.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia is remanded as the current VA examination did not address whether these conditions were related to service or undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied service connection for joint pains, claimed as fibromyalgia and an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI), finding that the Veteran's joint pain is a symptom of his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.