Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis was incurred in service, based on its onset within seven years of his discharge and presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis was granted with an effective date of October 31, 1994.

The veteran's weakness of the left and right lower extremities associated with his service-connected multiple sclerosis is rated at 20 percent from August 6, 2002. The rating for speech difficulty with dysphagia remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease with pacemaker implantation is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,The veteran's claim seeking service connection for multiple sclerosis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, but it remains denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Poplar Bluff and having a VA physician review the veteran's medical history to determine if multiple sclerosis was manifested during service or within the first 7 years after service.

The Board found that the veteran's Multiple Sclerosis did not manifest during service or within the presumptive period, and is unrelated to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied an initial, compensable rating for residual scars from a GSW to the right arm and back due to lack of evidence showing any functional limitation or pain.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed Multiple Sclerosis did not start during his active duty for training and was not aggravated by it. The evidence showed that he had symptoms prior to service, and there is no indication of worsening during his periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's initial manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis were within the presumptive period and granted service connection for MS.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome or any other back condition, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, and residuals of an injury to his left eye. The claim for migraine headaches was granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's multiple sclerosis, which he first experienced in 1964 with blurred vision in his left eye, is related to service and may be presumed to have been incurred due to its onset within seven years of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The issues of service connection for multiple sclerosis, increased rating for the lumbar spine disability, and total rating based on individual unemployability are all pending.

The Board granted service connection for multiple sclerosis and assigned a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum available under the law.

The Board finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is likely due to service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of Multiple Sclerosis during service or within the presumptive period, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis did not have its onset or increase in severity during active service, including a period of active duty for training. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her multiple sclerosis with neurogenic bladder was granted, and she is now rated at 40 percent effective from March 5, 2007.