Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and migraine headaches associated with multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence and will consider them on a de novo basis. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may impact the other claims.

The claim for service connection for transverse myelitis, to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The Veteran's current symptoms and in-service exposures are being reviewed by a VA examiner.

The claim for service connection for transverse myelitis, to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded. The Veteran's current symptoms and in-service exposures are evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Diplopia due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding the onset of these conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran and an opinion from a neurologist.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of competency, service connection for multiple sclerosis and Devic's disease, as well as temporary total ratings based on hospitalizations in excess of 21 days and need for convalescence following past hospitalizations have all been denied.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis has been rated at 10 percent since January 28, 2013.

The Veteran was granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his in-country service in Vietnam. He is also granted service connection for multiple sclerosis as a result of such exposure.,Service connection for TBI has been denied, with the Board finding no evidence of current residuals from an in-service head injury prior to death.,The Veteran's multiple sclerosis was not found to be related to his active service and is therefore not service-connected. However, he did have ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for dermatitis of the feet has been denied as there is no evidence of systemic therapy or involvement of at least 5% of exposed areas.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's current symptoms of tinnitus had their onset during service, and she has a current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted due to her service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis and hypertension with chronic renal insufficiency.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as the evidence did not show a link between MS and active duty service or within seven years after separation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremities neuropathy have not been found to warrant increased ratings beyond the current assigned disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, depression (secondary to service-connected multiple sclerosis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include mood disorder, depression and dementia associated with multiple sclerosis, right eye optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorder associated with multiple sclerosis. The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance as a result of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and right hand bone spur, finding no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of merit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin cancers, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, neuropathy of the legs and toes, and service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of peripheral sensory neuropathy remains pending as it does not involve a presumption based on exposure to herbicides or other chemicals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected multiple sclerosis and whether he should be assigned separate ratings for its residuals.