Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during active duty and prior to the presumptive period are at least as likely as not early manifestations of his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation greater than 30 percent for her service-connected Multiple Sclerosis with Optic Neuritis was denied because she failed to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for multiple sclerosis, left hip replacement, right knee replacement, spine disability, erectile dysfunction, and ulcerative colitis due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis was denied as there is no legal basis to assign an earlier effective date than February 21, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent for multiple sclerosis is denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 100 percent schedular rating for loss of use of both feet.

The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Bilateral Hearing Loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's urinary frequency as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis is granted, with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from October 14, 2009 to June 26, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for menstrual disorders, also claimed as PMDD, secondary to her service-connected MDD and PTSD is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for MS is dismissed.,New evidence has been received that relates to previously unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the underlying claim for diabetes mellitus type II. The claim will be reopened, but further development is needed before a decision can be made on this issue.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected MDD and PTSD are remanded as less than full grants have been awarded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to her service-connected MS, MDD, and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches secondary to her service-connected MS, MDD, and PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder dysfunction secondary to her service-connected MS, MDD, and PTSD is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and inpatient treatment records from Madigan Army Medical Center. A VA examiner will provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's multiple sclerosis is rated at 30 percent from July 26, 2005 to January 18, 2012 for various manifestations including peripheral vestibular disorder, lower extremity impairment, upper extremity impairment, depression, and left eye disability. The rating was granted.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty, and severed the service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's in-service symptoms were early manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis and whether MS manifested during service. The TDIU claim is also remanded.