The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of multiple sclerosis and its manifestations, but the RO did not implement these changes. The claims for SMC and DEA benefits are remanded to fully reflect these changes.
The deciding factor: The RO failed to update the effective dates for the service-connected conditions as directed by the Board in August 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of use of both feet, paralysis of the right and left upper extremities, urinary incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18135451
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18135451.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, but denied her claims for acid reflux disease and urinary incontinence. The decision also remanded her bilateral shoulder disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and urinary incontinence, finding no current diagnoses or credible evidence supporting these conditions.
- Dismissed
Your service connection for urinary incontinence has been dismissed as your prostate cancer with urinary incontinence is now rated at 100% effective July 15, 2025.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.