Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for multiple sclerosis with mood disorder and dementia has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports a conclusion that symptoms of MS began in service.

The Veteran's TDIU based on MS is granted, and an earlier effective date of April 29, 2016 for DEA benefits due to permanent total disability status is granted. Increased ratings are granted for MS residuals in the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected Multiple Sclerosis resulted in a compensable rating and effective date of January 20, 2017. The awards for voiding dysfunction, swallowing difficulties, and impairment of sphincter control are also effective from that date.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's MS was not found to be related to service, and her GERD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for MS was denied because there is no evidence that it developed during or within one year after service. The Board also determined that GERD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disability, and multiple sclerosis affecting bilateral upper and lower extremities due to lack of new and relevant evidence.,No new or relevant evidence was submitted that could support reopening any of these claims.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with MDD was increased to 70 percent, effective January 23, 2023. The Veteran is granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to that date. He also received a TDIU based on his service-connected MS and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Unspecified Depressive Disorder (secondary to Multiple Sclerosis) have been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that new evidence supports a link between the condition and his military service. The Board also found that the symptoms began during or shortly after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis will be reconsidered with additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that new and relevant evidence received since a prior denial supports this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, including multiple sclerosis, a recurrent skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and his Gulf War service, as required by the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within a presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a September 2022 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran and his former attorney, S.A.K., agreeing that S.A.K. should not be paid attorney fees.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), multiple sclerosis, and trigeminal neuralgia have been granted. The claim for myalgia remains pending.,Service connection has been established for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active service aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to residuals of prostate cancer, and multiple sclerosis with trigeminal neuralgia have been found directly related to in-service exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to determine if the Veteran's multiple sclerosis had its onset during active duty service or within seven years of separation from active duty in March 2009. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 9, 2019 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The earliest possible effective date is January 9, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.