Fibromyalgia Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of Interferon treatment, as the newly submitted evidence does not show that the claimed side effects were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA medical personnel.

The Veteran's memory loss and diffuse joint pains are found to be related to his service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Veteran's chronic multisymptom illness characterized by widespread pain, including fibromyalgia, is granted service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by pain and decreased range of motion but not to the shoulder level, is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction or disability manifested by fibromyalgia-like symptoms that are attributable to his active military service or to service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, right ear hearing loss disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an increased rating for fibromyalgia were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board is now ready to address the merits of his claims. However, further evidence and development are needed before these issues can be decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was rated at 40 percent effective December 6, 2005.

The Veteran's symptoms have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and the Board finds that he does not have a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is service-connected and granted compensation benefits. The claims for increased ratings for asthma, sesamoiditis, left lower lung fibrosis, and eczema are remanded due to evidence of worsening since the last examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is attributable to service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for hypertension was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia, inflammatory connective tissue disease (CTD), and chronic inflammatory joint disease of a seronegative type was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was found to be incurred in active service in Southwest Asia. The symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and loss of concentration are already associated with his service-connected PTSD and not secondary to undiagnosed illness or otherwise incurred during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected fibromyalgia is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's spondyloarthropathy and fibromyalgia are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.