Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's prostate disorder resulted in daytime voiding intervals of less than one hour from March 26, 2014 to October 4, 2016 and from October 5, 2016 to December 7, 2021. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for TDIU.,The Veteran's prostate disorder resulted in daytime voiding intervals of less than one hour from December 8, 2021 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for Multiple Sclerosis is dismissed. The issues of service connection for OSA and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and multiple sclerosis are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a gynecological disorder, neurological disorder (to include multiple sclerosis), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to internal inconsistency in the August 2021 VA medical opinion and a need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis existed prior to his second tour of active duty.

The Board is remanding the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis was incurred during service, if it became manifest within seven years of discharge, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis. The Veteran's claims for varicose veins, lumbar radiculopathy, myelopathy, rhabdomyolysis, neuropathy with sciatica and paresthesias, chronic leg pain, transverse myelitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis, finding that there was no basis for an increased rating based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly assess the Veteran's multiple sclerosis residuals, particularly for the period from March 17, 2015.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's multiple sclerosis (MS) was caused or aggravated by his active-duty service and if it weakened his heart leading to his death.