The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, left arm and right arm disabilities, neck condition, right knee and ankle disabilities, bilateral ear condition, insomnia, abdominal pain, edema, skin irritation of the genitals, toe nail condition, and diabetes mellitus. The decision also reopened claims for service connection for some conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability with right side body joint pain, left arm disability, right arm disability, neck condition with pain, right knee disability with right side body joint pain, right ankle disability with right side body joint pain, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral ear condition with pain, insomnia with sleep problems, abdominal pain and discomfort, edema with fluid retention, skin irritation of the genitals, disability of the toes (nails) with swelling and fungus, diabetes mellitus, type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18156661
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 18156661.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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