Fibromyalgia decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran's reported symptoms and history of diagnoses. The case is being remanded to afford the Veteran new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed skin, headaches, GERD, and muscle injury conditions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted service connection. The headache disorder was denied as not incurred in or caused by service. Memory loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was granted as it is presumed due to his service in the Southwest Asia theater.,The reduction of PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was found improper and restored the original 70% rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, a left knee disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's symptoms, including blisters, swelling and bruising of the legs, chronic joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, and difficulty breathing. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional review.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his fibromyalgia, have been granted. His hypertension has also been granted with service connection based on the PACT Act. The TDIU and DEA benefits were also granted prior to May 21, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was not reopened, and the others (allergic rhinitis, vertigo, GERD, muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia, skin rash, and neurological problems) were also denied. A rating higher than 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder was denied.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue (CFS) and joint pain (fibromyalgia), finding no persuasive evidence of these conditions separate from the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also denied for right shoulder joint disability, with the Board concluding that there is no credible persuasive evidence indicating a current disability distinct from his already service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for a sleep disability, including sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a disagreement over the amount of past-due benefits awarded to the attorney for securing service connection for fibromyalgia, Meniere's disease, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective February 18, 2013. He is now receiving SMC at the housebound rate, effective October 16, 2013.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and a respiratory disability (to include COPD) to be further evaluated due to insufficient evidence in previous VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and opinions to determine the service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS, and headaches. The appeals are remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for prior VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, bilateral ankle disability, fibromyalgia, and Adie's syndrome due to incomplete development. The case will be returned to ensure substantial compliance with previous Board decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss was dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and these appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for fibromyalgia and earlier effective date for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as his TDIU application.,The Veteran is required to provide a detailed employment history, including when he last worked full-time due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple conditions, including cell lymphocyte deficiency, hypogammaglobulinemia, premature ovarian failure, asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, chronic laryngitis, muscle weakness, hypertension, cholecystitis, and basal cell carcinoma, all of which are related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, methanol, and phenol.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected fibromyalgia is denied as the schedular criteria adequately describe and contemplate her symptoms, including widespread musculoskeletal pain. The Board finds that additional compensation is not warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, including fibromyalgia, depressive disorder, and costochondritis. Additionally, he must be provided an opportunity to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the determination of whether CFS is a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.