Fibromyalgia decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about where he received medical care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's left shoulder, fibromyalgia condition, right and left ankle disorders are all being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and information from the appellant, her medical providers, and SSA. The goal is to determine if the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, tuberculosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, fatty liver, hepatitis B virus, and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) as the evidence did not support their onset or causation during active duty.,For each condition, the Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable aggravation of a preexisting condition in service, and the conditions were less likely than not incurred or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for diverticulitis with irritable bowel syndrome.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, but granted for fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Board found no objective indications of these disabilities.,For the period prior to January 2, 2014, the Veteran was granted a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating prior to March 22, 2022. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and functional gastrointestinal disorder were all granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia disability, TDIU prior to January 27, 2010, and SMC based on aid and attendance. The case is being returned to the AOJ for these matters.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and diabetes, finding that the current conditions did not have an onset during or are otherwise related to active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a disability characterized by widespread chronic joint pain, to include rheumatism and fibromyalgia, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral lower extremity meralgia paraesthetica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology.,Effective dates earlier than specified in the decision are not warranted for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, IBS, dermatitis and lipomas, vasomotor rhinitis, and PTSD/CFS.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions or fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional medical opinions and to obtain relevant records, including from Social Security Administration (SSA). The issues include service connection for various conditions such as right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, edema, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, headache disorder, head injury residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than insomnia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, and a psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to unclear etiology and lack of conclusive pathophysiology or etiology. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including costochondritis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, hypertension, right and left foot disabilities, cervical paravertebral myositis, gastrointestinal disease, traumatic cataracts of the right eye, and Hoffman's disease. The case is also being remanded for further development regarding a temporary total hospitalization rating and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.