WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your fibromyalgia (also called fibromyalgia, fibro, widespread pain, chronic widespread pain), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected fibromyalgia commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (fibromyalgia) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
Fibromyalgia is strongly associated with depression and anxiety, both as a cause and an aggravator; the VA commonly recognizes this link.
What you'd need: A mental health diagnosis and a nexus opinion linking the mood disorder to the service-connected fibromyalgia.
IBS frequently co-occurs with fibromyalgia and is a recognized associated condition, so it may be claimed as secondary.
What you'd need: An IBS diagnosis and a nexus opinion connecting it to the service-connected fibromyalgia.
Non-restorative sleep and fatigue are core features of fibromyalgia and can be documented and claimed, often within the fibromyalgia or a mental health rating.
What you'd need: Documented sleep disturbance/fatigue and a supporting opinion linking it to the fibromyalgia.