Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for reopening a previously denied service connection for MS and OCPA has been granted.,Service connection remains pending for the issues of TDIU and the original claim of service connection for MS and OCPA.

The Veteran's condition necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been established by his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants entitlement to SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's MS with neurogenic bladder is rated at 30 percent, sensory neuropathy of the left upper extremity at 70 percent, and sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity at 30 percent. The optic neuritis claim was denied. Special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis first manifested within seven years of separation from service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral pterygium removal due to aggravation during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the appellant's symptoms during his ACDUTRA period may have represented the prodromal signs of his later diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis with fatigue has been rated at 60 percent since November 3, 2004. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a higher rating under DC 6354.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for multiple sclerosis and remanded his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis is presumed related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis had its onset during the applicable presumptive period after service, and thus grants the claim of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of both buttocks because he does not have severe damage to muscle group XVII and does not require assistance to maintain postural stability.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis did not manifest within seven years after separation from service and could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his claimed condition.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to have onset during service, nor within one year of separation from service. The weight of the competent medical evidence is against finding a nexus between the post-service diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis may be presumed to have been incurred in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current multiple sclerosis is presumed to have been incurred in his active military service due to its manifestation within seven years of his discharge.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis has been found to be nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of his pre-illness level, warranting a 60% initial evaluation.