Fibromyalgia decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for dermatosis, chronic sinusitis, and a headache disability have been granted. The Veteran also received increased evaluations for PTSD (70%), fibromyalgia (40%), and irritable bowel syndrome (30%). Bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An effective date of August 6, 2018, has been assigned for the 70% evaluation for PTSD. Effective dates have also been assigned for increased evaluations for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to failure to report to VA examinations and other procedural issues. The Board has broadened the claims to include Gulf War Syndrome-related conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the diagnosis of polyosteoarthritis and a need for clarification. The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, left ankle collateral ligament sprain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, left shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, myopia and retinal hole lattice degeneration (claimed as bilateral eye retina problems, thinning, and vision decrease), right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right knee strain, right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, right shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, a severe stomach and colon condition, fibromyalgia, steatohepatitis, vertigo and balance issues, and flat feet; and entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain, GERD, left knee strain, restrictive lung disease, allergic rhinitis, PB, a skin rash, and tension headaches. The Veteran was also remanded for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee disorders, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and fibromyalgia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is granted as service-connected. The claims for PTSD, fibromyalgia, increased rating for residuals of fracture, right ankle, DM, and inguinal hernia are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as his current protected work environment with VA does not allow for substantial income generation.

The Board denied service connection for lupus, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right hip disability, left hip disability, fibromyalgia, hypertension, and kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis due to the lack of association between lupus and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic disability manifested by joint pain including fibromyalgia and a stomach disorder, as well as right and left foot disorders are denied. The Board found that the most probative evidence does not show diagnoses of these conditions at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's autoimmune condition and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, including thyroid disorder-Hashimoto's.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma, as it requires an etiological opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted as service connected due to the presumption of service connection for conditions related to Southwest Asia service.

Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, acute renal failure, and bilateral toe drop is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to lack of evidence in the record.

The claims for service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted. The claims for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, claimed as full body weakness (including joint weakness), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle and joint pains (fibromyalgia) as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of these conditions.,Both conditions were deemed to be due to general wear and tear or other common symptoms, without meeting the criteria for an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of a proposal to sever service connection for undiagnosed chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms, as no valid appeal was initiated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination regarding his fibromyalgia and rectal bleeding conditions.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or rectal bleeding.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder and ankle conditions, knee degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, skin disorders, cervical spine disability, facial injury residuals, TMJ, sleep apnea, headaches, hand tremors, CFS, fibromyalgia, and muscle and joint pain. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these issues.