ptsd "fibromyalgia" Secondary Claims Or Not? Headaches, Ibs, Sleep Disturbance

[BlastDaddy]

Could anyone tell me what could be considered a secondary claim for a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia?

OR, Should these be stand alone claims?

I am 40% for Fibromyalgia and was considering filing a secondary claim.

PTSD 50%

Tinnitus 10%

Currently 70%

NOD still pending.

My S&W DR. say's my insomnia,IBS and headaches could be from fibromyalgia. The VA has scheduled me for a sleep study for the sleep disturbances.

As far as the headaches I have two ways to pursue them. Although I did not complain while on active service I did have them annotated on my out-processing physical. I have also been treated for the from the VA. They prescribe both Samaritan for the onset of migraines and Topiramate twice daily for headaches. The S&W doctor also says the fibromyalgia could cause the headaches. But this is also a presumptive illness/ undiagnosed illness.

IBS, Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Is it a stand alone or considered under the fibromyalgia initial diagnosis? Could I claim it under the SWA presumptive illness since they have diagnosed me with it and treat me with medications for it.

Dadgumit.. I don't know. I have all these and was told to get on here and check with the forum. My VSO said I would be pyramiding and could not do it but after reading I have mixed reviews and have looked for a new VSO.

Lets start here.

[k5one]

Have you read any of the Appeals Cases on this? Just go in and search Fibromyalgia or undiagnosed illness. Read the appeals, and you will see what they awarded and then base your decision on how the VBA is awarding the claims.

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.jsp

You will get a lot of good advice here, as you know, but reading the appeals decisions helped me decide on which advice to follow. I know they are awarding CFS, Fibro, and IBS separately. They are also awarding secondary claims for headaches and other things, I can't remember everything. Also I recommend looking into CFS, if you are diagnosed with it the max is 100%, where fibro the max is 40%. I was diagnosed with both, the symptoms are similar, but there are ways to differentiate, and I have the symptoms for both. A diagnosis of CFS would put you up to 100% easily.

[BlastDaddy]

I haven't looked at the appeals but will do so. Currently I do have a diagnosis of CFS but have not filed for it. I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist outside the VA and my PCP has recognized it and mentioned it several times in my VA medical records. He has also mentioned there was no additional treatment he could provide.

I have been concentrating on the migraines and headaches for the past several months. In a couple days I see a specialist to treat the headaches. The VA is finally looking at acupuncture as the next step.

I know I need to get out the house and see my service rep to file for both CFS and Migraines/Headaches but it seems as I research I always see that I should have more documentation.

[k5one]

If you have a diagnosis, get the physician to complete a DBQ and write a letter with his opinion that it is service related. The CFS can be rated up to 100%. You are Gulf War. It is presumptive. If you have had symptoms for at least 6 months you should be able to get it.

Reading the appeals cases through the link above helped me more than anything else. The denials I see are because they were never diagnosed with CFS, Fibro or IBS. The gulf war vets that are appealing with a CFS, Fibro, or IBS diagnosis are being granted service connection in the appeals.

I was denied service connection for everything, because I did not have a diagnosis. I was later diagnosed with all three. I have submitted DBQ's and a letter from my physician, and am hoping for service connection through reconsideration. I am going to file an appeal if I don't hear from them soon, as my appeal time limit is July. According to my DBQ's when it is all done I should get CFS 60%, Fibro 40%, IBS 10%.