Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2015

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, as it was likely incurred within seven years of discharge from active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, Raynaud's disease, and multiple sclerosis. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to new evidence but still denied as it is not related to service. Service connection for Raynaud's disease could not be established as there is no indication of the condition in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current multiple sclerosis disability is less likely than not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis should be remanded to obtain additional service treatment and personnel records, including those from his Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his service-connected multiple sclerosis and related urinary incontinence, have rendered him helpless as he requires regular aid and attendance due to physical disabilities such as balance issues, coordination problems, and difficulty with daily activities.

The Veteran's delimiting date for educational assistance benefits was extended due to a physical disability (Multiple Sclerosis) preventing him from initiating or pursuing education between December 19, 1998 and November 8, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Depression as secondary to MS, and Tinnitus due to MS. Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss is denied.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability for at least eight years prior, and the appellant cannot be awarded Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits at the enhanced rate.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Low Back Disability. The evidence received since the most recent decisions is considered redundant or insufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of her multiple sclerosis, including any related vision impairment, weakness of extremities, and neurogenic bowel/bladder symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is not service-connected, but her MS is presumed to have been incurred within seven years of service due to chronicity. The claim for an increased rating for myofascial pain syndrome has been bifurcated into schedular and extra-schedular considerations.

The Board found that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis did not have its onset during service and is not causally related to service. The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple sclerosis, which he contends is related to exposure to insecticides during his service in the Bahamas. The case is REMANDED for further development and consideration.

The Board has found that the Veteran's DDD/DJD of the lumbar spine is service-connected, as it was manifested during active duty and is related to his in-service injury. The issues of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, CAD, and MS are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis due to new and material evidence received since the October 1976 rating decision. The Veteran's symptoms, including leg pain and fatigue, were observed prior to February 1972, which is within seven years of his separation from military service. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board finds that the Veteran likely had Multiple Sclerosis within this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as there is no legal basis to grant such due to his discharge not being by reason of service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, multiple sclerosis, and sleep apnea as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty from October 1966 to February 1967. The Veteran's National Guard service was considered ACDUTRA and did not qualify him for VA benefits.