Multiple sclerosis Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is being remanded due to a developmental error in the prior decision. The Board finds that the current medical opinions are inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's lay contentions regarding her symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various service-connected conditions, except CFS, BPPV, and GERD, were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection are not earlier than January 26, 2016.

The Veteran's wheelchair use is not considered service-connected, and thus he does not qualify for a VA clothing allowance for the year 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis is at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during service. As such, the claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification regarding the relationship between in-service viral infections and the Veteran's current multiple sclerosis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Headaches, as there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on these claims without an examination.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not have its onset during an eligible period of active service or a presumptive period after an eligible period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are needed to address the onset and etiology of the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis, as the previous VA examination was inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and housebound status due to his service-connected Multiple Sclerosis. The evidence did not support a finding that he needed regular aid and assistance or was permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple sclerosis is granted as the condition was incurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA). The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability, in-service incurrence of symptoms, and a nexus between the two.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis and granted evaluations of 40 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic) respectively. The Board also denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for voiding dysfunction and loss of bowel control.