Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2000

The veteran is granted an effective date of January 12, 1994 for a 40 percent disability evaluation for paralysis of the right upper extremity.,The veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 20, 1993 for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for Multiple Sclerosis, Right Knee Disorder, or Chondromalacia of the Left Knee and thus denied service connection for all three conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that symptoms were first present during active service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as the claim is not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability is the primary cause of his dizziness, headaches, and blackouts. The residuals of a fracture of the left femur are also considered secondary to this condition. His left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 26, 1991.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to establish his competency for VA purposes is well grounded and additional information would be desirable. The case is returned to the regional office for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's multiple sclerosis and related fatigue are rated at 20% and 60%, respectively, with a combined rating of 70%. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's attorney is eligible for payment of 20% of past-due benefits awarded due to an earlier effective date for a total disability rating for service-connected Multiple Sclerosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis was initially manifested during her period of active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left upper and lower extremity disorders, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent and 40 percent evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, coronary artery bypass, postoperative, and multiple sclerosis as not well-grounded. The claim for multiple sclerosis was dismissed due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal.

The Board found that there is not a reasonable possibility of a valid claim concerning whether multiple sclerosis was incurred in, or aggravated by, service. The appellant's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis was denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and a low back disorder as not well grounded. The case is remanded to consider any evidence obtained since the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board found that the veteran's disorder of the colon and rectum, variously diagnosed, was incurred in service. However, the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's multiple sclerosis to his military service, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to perform daily functions or substantially confined as a result of his service-connected conditions, thus denying special monthly compensation in the form of aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis did not result in the loss of use of any extremity or blindness in both eyes, nor ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. Therefore, he is denied a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance or specially adapted equipment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's multiple sclerosis was manifest within seven years of his active naval service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a left tibia and fibula injury is also denied as there are no other potentially applicable diagnostic codes that would allow for a higher evaluation on an individual basis.