The Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain with degenerative changes are service-connected, and the claim for a higher rating is granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for fibromyalgia based on in-service findings and post-service treatment records. The VA examiner concluded that the current diagnosis of fibromyalgia is less likely than not related to active duty military service. For low back pain, the Veteran's disability meets the criteria for a 40% rating due to limitation of flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, chronic recurrent mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 30, 2017
- Citation
- 1702541
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 1702541.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all necessary opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI). The claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.
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