The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found no diagnosis of fibromyalgia in the Veteran's medical records and concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to establish service connection on a secondary basis or as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151878
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18151878.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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