Fibromyalgia decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep disability, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any event during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to statin medication prescribed by VA.,The AOJ should obtain additional medical opinions related to the Veteran's neuropathy of the left and right legs, including considering internet articles submitted by the Veteran and his son’s statement.,The AOJ should also seek compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for food allergies (including lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, a meat allergy, and fructose allergy) due to statin medication prescribed by VA.,The AOJ should obtain additional medical opinions related to the Veteran's cognitive impairment and service connection for myopathy and/or muscle weakness (including fibromyalgia).,The AOJ should seek compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for food allergies (including lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, a meat allergy, and fructose allergy) due to statin medication prescribed by VA.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. The reduction in the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 30% effective July 1, 2016, was upheld.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including hip, ankle, foot, and neck conditions. The appeal is pending until all outstanding records are obtained.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives, and additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims. This includes verifying Southwest Asia service during the Persian Gulf War and providing in-person examinations for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence indicating a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for psoriasis (also claimed as measles, psoriasis, eczema, and psoriatic arthritis) was also reopened and granted based on the submission of new evidence supporting her skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for agoraphobia/anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the previous remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus requires another VA examination for both fibromyalgia and memory loss.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating from August 26, 2014. The Board also found the Veteran is entitled to TDIU since March 3, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities limiting his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of fibromyalgia and hypertension for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for severance of service connection for PTSD and fibromyalgia due to fraud, as there was evidence showing intentional misrepresentations made by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's NOD was timely filed and has remanded several issues for further development. The main issues are related to increased ratings for herniated disc at L4-L5 with right lower extremity radiculopathy, status-post fracture of the pubic ramus, left, major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to concerns about the credibility of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his fibromyalgia and its onset during service. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome as there was no evidence of these conditions during or after service, and they were not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia with unexplained fatigue was denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because her service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia and depressive disorder, were not deemed to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records and examinations relevant to his conditions. The AOJ will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture residuals. The appeal of the deviated nasal septum claim was withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for allergies, low back condition, joint pains (fibromyalgia), and high blood pressure has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA opinions regarding the Veteran's fibromyalgia and TDIU claims. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.