Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's current diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is found to have started within seven years from the date of his service discharge, and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the Veteran's medical records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating for multiple sclerosis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and loss of use of both lower extremities, claimed as Multiple Sclerosis. The decision found that the correct facts were before the Board at the time of the August 1979 rating decision, and no CUE was identified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral eye disability. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his right eye vision loss associated with multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a medical opinion regarding service connection for Multiple Sclerosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis has been reopened and granted. The cause of the Veteran's death, listed as cardiopulmonary arrest, respiratory failure, and pulmonary fibrosis, was found to be secondary to his progressive multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, restless leg syndrome of the left and right legs, and a heart condition have been reopened. The appeals are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of disability benefits and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current Multiple Sclerosis began during his honorable period of service in the Army from November 27, 1974 to November 26, 1977.

The Veteran's initial rating for Multiple Sclerosis was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation during the period in question.

The Board found that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis was not incurred or aggravated during a period of qualifying service and did not manifest within the seven year presumptive period following a period of 90-days of continuous qualifying service. The Board also determined that the disease is not proximately due to or permanently aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis did not manifest during service or within seven years of separation from service, and is not related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for the highest level of aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied as he has been in receipt of institutional care at United States Government expense throughout the appeal period.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death, as well as the findings from his separation physical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claim file, which was lost. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis was granted on July 20, 1992, and the effective date is set at that time.