Fibromyalgia decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, an unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease), obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, residuals of frostbite, and residuals of heat stroke have been granted. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia was denied, and her TDIU was granted with an effective date of July 28, 2015. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will consider evidence not previously considered.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process and no eligible parties have been substituted in the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her inability to use assistive devices as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her shin splints, restless leg syndromes, and fibromyalgia due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and dismissed the appeal of service connection for toxic chemical exposure. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, a sleep disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, and fibromyalgia due to the Veteran's death. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions based on review of the record.

The Board denied service connection for MUCMI including fibromyalgia as there was no evidence of Southwest Asia theater service, which is required for presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence developed since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case, including a VA examination related to the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will be reconsidered in light of this additional information.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional records, particularly regarding his service-connected PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are also remanded for consideration of presumptive exposure to toxic substances in Afghanistan.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and a sleep disability were denied. The Board found that his fatigue is related to his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, which was not due to service or any other compensable condition. Service connection for hypothyroidism was granted based on its known etiology and pathophysiology.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not fully developed and requires additional information from private medical records. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including headaches, skin rash, obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, left eye disability, achalasia, hypertension, and arthritis, are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder other than the service-connected IBS, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorders, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The opinion provided by a private clinician supports that the fibromyalgia is aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional medical opinions regarding his fatigue, multiple sclerosis, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 15, 2003 for the award of service connection for her unspecified depressive disorder is granted. An initial increased rating of 70 percent for her unspecified depressive disorder is also granted effective October 15, 2003. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches are denied. A TDIU is granted effective October 15, 2003. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective October 15, 2003.