Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder resulting from periodontal disease due to medication for her service-connected multiple sclerosis and denied her increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain with history of coccyx trauma. The decision found that there was no legal basis for granting these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for multiple sclerosis, headaches, idiopathic left leg weakness with pain, fatigue, and urinary incontinence associated with his service-connected multiple sclerosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 3, 2000 for the grant of service connection for multiple sclerosis. The veteran was previously denied in a February 1996 rating decision and did not appeal it. His request to reopen his claim was received on February 3, 2000. Therefore, an effective date prior to February 3, 2000 is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis secondary to herbicide exposure, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Howard Maker and requesting that the appellant submit any pertinent medical records in his possession.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing officer's retirement and the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has ordered additional action to obtain the veteran's service medical records, specifically his separation examination report and inpatient clinical records from March 1968 to November 1969. The appeal is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left hand disabilities approximate mild incomplete paralysis under DC 8512, warranting separate 20 percent ratings for each hand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple sclerosis did not manifest within seven years of his separation from service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and potential impact on other issues. The veteran's multiple sclerosis may be related to service-connected Crohn's disease, and a VA examination is needed to determine this. Additionally, the specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant issue must await further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional service and personnel records, as well as a VA neurological examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis and determined that new evidence supports a finding of current disability related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Multiple Sclerosis was not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and denied the claim.

The veteran's widow failed to submit an application for accrued benefits within one year of her husband's death, as required by VA regulations. As a result, the claim is denied.

The veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis is characterized by neurological impairment of the upper and lower extremities, warranting a 40 percent evaluation. The disability is currently rated as 30 percent due to partial loss of use in both arms, but the current rating has been increased to 40 percent based on additional evidence showing more severe symptoms.