Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2005

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claim for service connection of Multiple Sclerosis and determined that it was incurred during a period of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA). The Board also found that he is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the additional disability of a sacral pressure sore as a result of surgical and medical treatment by VA in 1992.

The Board denied service connection for MS due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to military service or exposure to herbicides. The veteran's claim for PTSD and new and material evidence for muscle and nerve damage is also addressed, but not adjudicated in this decision.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for TDIU, automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, and an effective date of December 6, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple sclerosis was not incurred during active service and is not due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show any symptoms of multiple sclerosis within seven years after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that there was no evidence of prostrating headaches prior to November 12, 1991, and that he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Shafer and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer and multiple sclerosis, but denied them as new and material evidence was not submitted to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple sclerosis did not have its onset during service and was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The condition was first diagnosed more than seven years after separation from service, which is outside of the presumptive period for multiple sclerosis.

The veteran's service-connected neurogenic bladder with incontinence due to multiple sclerosis is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent. The ratings for weakness of the right upper and lower extremities are not higher than the current assigned ratings.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as it precludes locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair.

The veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issue of service connection for multiple sclerosis.

The Board found that the veteran's MS did not cause his death, and there was no evidence linking any service-connected conditions to his death. The VA medical opinion concluded that the veteran died of a sudden cardiac event unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, meeting the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional service medical records and review the severance of service connection for multiple sclerosis with secondary complications.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and multiple sclerosis as a result of herbicide exposure are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed duty or visitation within the Republic of Vietnam.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his service-connected multiple sclerosis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and multiple sclerosis, but these issues must be remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sacroiliitis and multiple sclerosis with decreased sensation and ataxia in both upper extremities, do not meet the eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her blindness and anatomical loss of use of one or more extremities.