The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding her fibromyalgia and small fiber neuropathy, as well as for a determination on the issues of TDIU prior to October 22, 2010 and SMC based on need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The decision notes that further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is associated with her fibromyalgia disability and if so, whether her hypersomnolence symptoms are separate from her service-connected fibromyalgia disability. Additionally, it mentions that a determination on TDIU prior to October 22, 2010 and SMC based on need for aid and attendance is required due to the inextricability of these issues with the increased rating claim.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, autonomic small fiber neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074510
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of the condition.
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