Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and atonic bladder as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis are granted. The claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is dismissed due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis, including as due to contaminated water exposure at Schofield Barracks, has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis was found to have manifested within seven years of his separation from service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition based on a presumption.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that his pre-existing condition worsened during his deployments and is therefore considered aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current MS is related to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence associated with multiple sclerosis is rated at 10 percent prior to June 10, 2016 and on and after that date. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension are granted service connection, while the claim for multiple sclerosis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and are related to his in-service back injury.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of 60 percent for loss of use of bladder associated with service-connected multiple sclerosis is denied.,The Veteran's SMC appeal remains on hold and requires additional development to determine if a higher level of care was needed prior to February 29, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of access to his service treatment records and inadequate rationale provided in previous examinations. The Veteran is also not entitled to TDIU without resolving his other claims.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest within a presumptive period and was not shown to be related to his active service or service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for multiple sclerosis and for an effective date prior to April 15, 2013 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for dependency benefits for his daughter, S.D., is remanded due to the inextricability of this matter with other claims involving disability ratings and service connection. The claims will be adjudicated together.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim is now reopened and will be reviewed on its merits.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis (MS) is denied. No new and material evidence has been received within a year of the November 2014 decision.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus prior to September 7, 2016 is denied. The maximum schedular rating available (10%) has been assigned.,No effective date prior to September 7, 2016 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and examination, including service connection for MS, chronic pain syndrome, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder secondary to MS. The initial compensable rating for respiratory bronchiolitis associated with interstitial lung disease is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and a bilateral leg condition due to insufficient information regarding their onset and diagnosis. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed with the assistance of a medical professional specializing in multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and multiple sclerosis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA audiological evaluation to determine if he currently has hearing loss, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed neurological condition.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an expert medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms of multiple sclerosis during service are early manifestations of his current condition.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremities and upper extremities have been granted effective dates of March 8, 2010 for the assigned ratings.,An earlier effective date of March 8, 2010 is also granted for her bilateral optic atrophy.