Fibromyalgia Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, depression, arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and hips, memory loss (small vessel brain disease), headaches, macular degeneration, dry eyes, and flat feet have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including myofascial pain syndrome, impingement syndrome, and right rotator cuff tendinopthy, is granted. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia has been withdrawn. Service connection for left knee disorder is reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in 1998. Service connection for right ankle disorder is also reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not due to an injury sustained during active service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia with headaches is rated at 40 percent since August 10, 2006.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at 30 percent since August 10, 2006.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is caused by her service-connected disorders, and the Board grants service connection for fibromyalgia on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and a hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records, verifying service in the Persian Gulf War, and arranging for examinations to assess her fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pain, migraine headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are likely traceable to his period of active military duty, while the status of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle pain remains unknown.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and depression, as well as her service connection claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease. The decision also noted that she had withdrawn her appeal regarding a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for connective tissue disease, lupus, or fibromyalgia. The claims for hepatitis B and C are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to these conditions. The claim for residuals of a ruptured breast implant is also denied due to lack of current medical evidence supporting the existence of any residual disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue have been granted. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his in-service pain and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, cervical spine, stomach, right hip, right knee, or right ankle disorders. The adjustment disorder is rated at 50% and no higher.

The Veteran's combined effects of service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is granted. The reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for fibromyalgia was improper, and restoration of the 40 percent rating is warranted. Evidence pertaining to a back disability received since the May 1997 decision is new and material, and the claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is found to have been aggravated by active service.,Fibromyalgia was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain more complete opinions regarding the etiology of fibromyalgia, including consideration of lay evidence and the possibility of aggravation by service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fibromyalgia. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia (including headaches) and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted effective July 28, 2008. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are earlier than initially requested by the Veteran.