The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia on a presumptive basis due to undiagnosed illness. The issues of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, systemic lupus erythematosus with inflammatory arthritis, and bilateral foot disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia was diagnosed during the applicable presumptive period and concluded it should be granted on a presumptive basis due to undiagnosed illness. The issues of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, systemic lupus erythematosus with inflammatory arthritis, and bilateral foot disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing their relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, systemic lupus erythematosus with inflammatory arthritis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18107062
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 18107062.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine and skin rash disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military 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.
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