The Veteran's fibromyalgia and low back disability were granted staged increases in ratings, with the fibromyalgia receiving a maximum rating of 40 percent and the low back disability receiving a maximum rating of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations supported the findings that both conditions warranted the highest schedular ratings based on their severity and impact on daily activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Fibromyalgia, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1751118
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 1751118.
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 service-connected PTSD and fibromyalgia disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection based on CUE in rating decisions have been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history.
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