Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected difficulty swallowing was rated at 30 percent effective January 5, 2012. The condition is characterized by episodes of gagging requiring a self-Heimlich maneuver and associated throat pain.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms reasonably appear to have been manifest within seven years of his service separation. The claim is now pending for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis was reopened and granted. The status of the psychiatric disability rating and TDIU issues is pending further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple sclerosis is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for depression as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis was incurred within seven years of separation from active service, and his bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis warrants a 50% disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and service personnel records, as well as a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis, right foot paralysis, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis did not develop to a compensable level within seven years of service discharge and is not directly related to military service, including on the basis of radiation exposure or any Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the July 2009 rating decision is not final with respect to the hypertension claim due to newly associated service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and multiple sclerosis are remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and its potential connection to his Multiple Sclerosis. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant records, conduct a dose estimate if possible, and refer the claim for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for multiple sclerosis with urinary frequency and right and left lower extremity muscular atrophy with decreased strength are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and a bladder disorder secondary to MS. The Veteran's vision disorder is considered a symptom of her MS, and major depressive disorder is not separately service-connected.

The appellant's claim for an extension of 45 months of DEA benefits is denied as she did not suspend her education program and was not eligible for special restorative training.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance due to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal was withdrawn as to the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthralgia, and entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for Multiple Sclerosis. The appellant's claim will be adjudicated again after a VA examination and opinion are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have Multiple Sclerosis and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right leg peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2015. The condition more closely approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the popliteal nerve.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for multiple sclerosis, as there are indications in the record that his disability may be associated with service. The Veteran asserts that his current condition may have been triggered by inoculations given during active service and sustained at least two separate flare-ups of joint pain during service.

The Veteran is in need of a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis. The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence supports this claim.