Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and MS were incurred in service, with the stressors verified and medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The decision granted both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis became manifest to a compensable degree within seven years of separation from service and is presumed to have been incurred as a result of active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's Multiple Sclerosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis, finding that his condition was best rated as direct service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, which is presumed to have been aggravated by active service. The veteran's Multiple Sclerosis is therefore presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and outstanding private medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are not yet decided.

The Board has ordered the veteran to undergo a VA examination and requested additional records from SSA and the VAMC Tampa. The case is now remanded for further development.

The VA has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the appellant's speech dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis, effective September 11, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of his left knee below knee amputation as secondary to his service-connected Multiple Sclerosis. The RO also did not commit clear and unmistakable error in denying special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board finds that the appellant does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, as they do not meet the specific eligibility requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The RO will schedule another VA examination and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The petition to reopen her claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is considered, but no decision was made as it is not clear what basis for reopening was used.

The Board found that the veteran's Multiple Sclerosis, COPD, Infertility, and Visual Defect were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board also noted that the veteran's COPD was diagnosed many years after service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current disabilities, including Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis was initially manifested during active service and grants service connection for this condition.