Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis. The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is presumed to have been incurred in active service, as it became manifest within seven years after separation from service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to falls caused by her unstable and giving way left knee, which qualifies for secondary service connection. The claim for an increased rating of the left knee disability remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of multiple sclerosis due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for increased rating for coronary artery disease and SMC based on statutory housebound status are referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of multiple sclerosis. Given the insidious nature of multiple sclerosis, it was as likely as not that the Veteran had symptoms of multiple sclerosis as early as 1976 or 1977, within seven years of his separation from active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board then determined that it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current condition first manifested during his military service or within seven years of discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been withdrawn and are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for multiple sclerosis remains denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis within the presumptive period or a link between the disability and service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple sclerosis, thyroid cancer, and scleroderma and Raynaud's syndrome. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The appeal is currently in remand status due to the need to obtain additional medical records and information from SSA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's multiple sclerosis. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for multiple sclerosis and associated residuals was denied. The RO continued to deny the claim, maintaining that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation of his multi-level compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine prior to March 16, 2011. For the period since March 16, 2011, the evidence does not show additional functional impairment due to pain or weakness that would warrant a higher rating.