The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia from March 10, 2016 and found that the Veteran's symptoms were widespread throughout his musculoskeletal system with constant or near constant pain. The effective date of service connection for major depressive disorder is set at May 3, 2005.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed a significant increase in the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms from March 10, 2016 onwards, warranting an increased rating to 40 percent. The effective date for service connection was determined based on the earliest receipt of claim and the fact that the Veteran had already filed his initial claim prior to May 3, 2005.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144241
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 18144241.
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.
- 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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