The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, which he claimed as aching joints, and for a compensable disability rating for residuals of rheumatic fever. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his in-service rheumatic fever.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and rheumatology report determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are not related to his service-connected rheumatic fever, but rather due to other factors such as poor sleep and depression.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2004
- Citation
- 0409911
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0409911.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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