The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for multiple sclerosis (MS) with speech and swallowing impairment is granted, beginning March 25, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for right upper extremity (RUE) impairment as a residual of MS is granted, beginning September 10, 2013.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran began experiencing speech and swallowing difficulties due to multiple sclerosis on March 25, 2015. The VA examiner determined this was sufficient for a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8018.
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Bladder Impairment as a Residual of MS, Adjustment Disorder with Chronic Depressed Mood as a Residual of MS, Right Upper Extremity (RUE) Impairment as a Residual of MS, Left Upper Extremity Neuropathy (LUE) Impairment as a Residual of MS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23044107
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23044107.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Multiple Sclerosis, a headache disability as secondary to service-connected MS, and an eye disability as secondary to service-connected MS. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by medical evidence, and the Board finds that they are related to her service-connected MS.
- Granted
The Board has granted a separate 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected Multiple Sclerosis (MS), finding that there are additional ascertainable manifestations of MS not accounted for by other disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was granted effective August 10, 2022. This decision also grants the Veteran an initial rating of 100% for MS.,Effective August 10, 2022, the Veteran is now entitled to DEA benefits based on his service-connected MS.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis first manifested during service or within seven years after separation. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this matter.
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