Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious, often debilitating condition that can make you eligible for various benefits, including disability compensation from the VA. If you’re wondering whether your MS diagnosis is related to your service and how to apply for benefits, keep reading to learn more about the multiple sclerosis VA rating.
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A multiple sclerosis diagnosis is life-changing. It likely means a lifetime of attempting to manage and avoid flare-ups. But did you know if you’re a veteran, your MS could be service connected? If you receive an MS diagnosis within seven years of separation from military service, the VA assumes the two are related. That’s why if you’re having symptoms or have been diagnosed with MS, understanding the multiple sclerosis VA rating and its requirements is important.
In this article about the multiple sclerosis VA rating:
Multiple sclerosis in veterans
Multiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is a disease that causes your immune system to attack your central nervous system. When this happens, people with MS begin experiencing problems sending nerve signals from their brain to the rest of their body.
MS can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary so much from person to person. Symptoms can also vary in longevity and severity.
Some common signs of MS include:
- Fatigue
- Prickling or pins-and-needles pain
- Vision impairment
- Cognitive impairment
- Loss of balance, dizziness
- Weakness in the extremities
- Bowel or urinary issues
Other symptoms can include tremors, seizures, breathing problems, and even loss of taste.
Doctors are uncertain exactly what causes MS, although environmental factors and viral infections are thought to be causes. The VA estimates that 35,000 veterans have MS.
“If you were injured while serving this country and are reading this review, I encourage you to contact Woods and Woods right away. They are always standing ready to assist veterans in need.”
J.B., a Navy veteran in Virginia
Multiple sclerosis VA rating
The VA rates multiple sclerosis using diagnostic code 8018 in the Schedule of Ratings. This rating provides a minimum of 30%. In addition to this, the veteran is rated based on their residual symptoms.
Because of this approach, veterans with MS often receive a rating much higher than 30%, but the rating is unique to the individual veteran and their situation.
Multiple sclerosis residuals
Because of the way the VA rates multiple sclerosis, understanding residual effects of MS is vital. Residuals are what increase your rating beyond the 30% minimum.
MS residuals can include:
- Vertigo
- Speech problems
- Vision problems, including blindness
- Incontinence
- Paralysis
- Sleep disturbances
- Erectile dysfunction
- Mental health disorders
The VA has various ratings for any individual multiple sclerosis residuals, which you can qualify for to increase your overall rating. You can click on the links above to learn more about how the VA rates some of these residual issues.
Additionally, many medications taken for MS are known to cause problems like gastrointestinal distress, headaches, insomnia, tachycardia, and more. These persistent side effects from drugs prescribed for service-connected MS would also qualify as residuals
These factors and residuals may increase your rating as high as 100%, making your VA disability payment higher.
“From the day we contacted [Woods and Woods], they made us feel so comfortable. They treated us like we mattered and we were not just clients but family.”
L.B., a Navy veteran and wife in Florida
Is multiple sclerosis a VA presumptive condition?
The VA considers MS a presumptive condition. A presumptive service connection means that when a qualifying veteran applies for VA disability compensation for MS, they are not required to submit a medical “nexus” proving it is linked to their service. Instead, the condition is automatically service-connected. However, for MS to be presumptive, this diagnosis has to happen within a certain time frame.
If a veteran is diagnosed with MS that is at least 10% disabling during or within seven years of their separation from service, the VA automatically considers it service-connected.
This seven-year period exists because of how difficult it can be to diagnose MS, given the wide variety of signs and symptoms of the condition. MS also can take years to manifest. Many people experience some minor signs of the disease before they become noticeable enough to lead to a formal diagnosis.
If more than seven years have passed after your separation from the military and before your diagnosis, it is still possible to service connect your condition. However, it would not be considered a presumptive condition at that time. So, you will need a medical professional to explain how the symptoms you were treating are related to your diagnosis. They must provide a nexus and link your condition to an event or exposure that happened during your service.
Even if your MS diagnosis isn’t related to your service, you may be eligible for other VA services.
SMC for multiple sclerosis
Some veterans with multiple sclerosis may also be entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC). SMC is a monetary benefit for veterans that goes beyond the compensation received based on your disability rating.
The VA provides SMC for various reasons, most often related to the loss of function of extremities and other senses. SMC is sometimes related to quality of life measures, like activities of daily living you’re unable to do on your own. MS may make you eligible for SMC if the symptoms cause you to need assistance with daily living activities. Veterans may also be eligible for SMC if their MS causes the loss of use of an extremity.
TDIU for multiple sclerosis
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) if they can’t maintain “substantially gainful employment” because of service-connected conditions.
Multiple sclerosis can make it impossible for a veteran to work because of fatigue, mood problems, or an inability to concentrate. They also may be in frequent pain or have ongoing bladder or bowel issues that make them unable to function in the workplace. Problems with speech, vision, and movement can further complicate a veteran’s ability to work with MS.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
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T.K.
How our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve the full VA disability compensation you are owed. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
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(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT Multiple Sclerosis VA Rating
The VA disability rating for multiple sclerosis depends somewhat on the individual veteran and their symptoms. An MS diagnosis provides a minimum of a 30% rating, then the veteran is rated further based on their residual symptoms.
If a veteran is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis that is at least 10% disabling within seven years of their separation from service, the VA automatically considers it service-connected. Even if a diagnosis comes after this period, the veteran may still be eligible for VA compensation but will not benefit from a presumptive service connection.
Neil Woods
VA disability lawyer
Woods and Woods
VA Accreditation Number: 44739
