Fibromyalgia decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and fibromyalgia (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness as a result of environmental hazards during the Persian Gulf War).,For hypertension, the Board found no current diagnosis. For hypertensive heart disease, the claim was not pursued due to lack of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior instructions, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia/fibromyositis, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and osteoporosis due to inadequate VA medical opinions that did not comply with the Board's instructions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, a chronic muscle pain disorder, a chronic joint pain disorder, and fibromyalgia have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active service or within the applicable presumptive period.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, and the evidence did not support a finding that fibromyalgia was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a headache disability, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, herpes, hypertension, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity to obtain additional medical records and schedule VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, and colon surgery due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issues are being reviewed again as they may be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a nontender scar of the right buttocks, fibromyalgia/chronic pain syndrome, left hip disability, and bilateral leg disabilities have all been denied.,An earlier effective date prior to August 29, 2014, for service connection of the nontender scar of the right buttocks has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia with muscle and joint pain due to undiagnosed Gulf War Illness. The VA examinations are deemed insufficient, and additional records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted, with a current diagnosis and evidence of in-service exposure to Southwest Asia.,Service connection for a chronic respiratory disability other than chronic sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis is denied due to lack of current disability.,The appeal seeking service connection for allergies is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to incomplete verification of service records and requests for additional medical records. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, request treatment records from the University Hospital in Torrejón, Spain, and attempt to verify participation of the 37th AEG (AFRES) at MacDill AFB, Florida's deployment in March 1987.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as service connected. The issue of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, effective April 19, 2022. The Board found that the severity of the Veteran's fibromyalgia warranted this initial rating as his symptoms were episodic with exacerbations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for fibromyalgia and finds that new and material evidence has been received. Further development is needed to adjudicate this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to July 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and a need for an examination under the PACT Act. The Veteran is presumed exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders were denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) was previously denied, but the appeal is granted as her symptoms are related to active-duty service.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals before the Board, including hearings scheduled for him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his Gulf War-related conditions, including bilateral knee and shoulder issues, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, respiratory condition, GERD, bilateral hip conditions, and bilateral hand conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to toxic substances in Southwest Asia during his military service.