Multiple sclerosis Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been remanded and will be reconsidered in light of the effective dates granted for his service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran seeks a higher rate of special monthly compensation due to his service-connected Multiple Sclerosis and related disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent medical records and scheduling the Veteran for another VA examination.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to d-Phenothrin, but the Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it manifested within seven years of discharge.,Service connection for thyroid cancer is denied because there is no competent and credible evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to d-Phenothrin. The Veteran's private and VA treatment records do not attribute her thyroid cancer to service.,The Board finds that service connection for scleroderma and Raynaud's syndrome is not warranted on a direct basis as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service, including exposure to d-Phenothrin.

The Board has determined that a separate 30 percent rating for multiple sclerosis is not warranted as the ratings schedule does not provide for such a rating. The Veteran's disability is currently rated at 50 percent due to optic neuritis with multiple sclerosis, and he also receives a separate 30 percent rating for migraine headaches secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran meets the service requirements for Vietnam service and is permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disability not due to his willful misconduct. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis manifested to a compensable degree within seven years after his discharge from active duty, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for MS prior to May 24, 2010, and a TDIU rating from November 13, 2006, to May 24, 2010, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for these ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and multiple sclerosis are related to his military service, with the latter being secondary to the former.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis first manifested within seven years following her separation from active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic groin fungus, loss of cognitive senses, and osteoporosis are all found to be secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis.,Special monthly pension benefits have been granted due to the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his multiple sclerosis. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis and granted it, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis initially manifested to a compensable degree within seven years after separation from service, and therefore, presumptive service connection for multiple sclerosis must be granted.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as there is no medical evidence showing MS either manifested during or caused by the appellant's military service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for PTSD and loss of use of both lower extremities, claimed as Multiple Sclerosis. The Veteran argued that he should have received an earlier effective date due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for multiple sclerosis, lumbar spine disability, bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy, and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity weakness associated with MS were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for white matter lesions and multiple sclerosis due to exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. For PTSD, the Veteran's disability is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms warrant a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis were manifest during active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, knee and ankle injuries, a muscle disorder, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an anxiety disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development.