Veteran Needing Help

[davidlinda1020]

I am a veteran and for 4 years I have tried getting benefits from the VA for Multiple Sclerosis with no luck. It is in front of the appeals board in Washington DC. I have had no luck getting approved.

I have sent them 2 Dr. Notes that said I had MS in the 1970's when I was in the service. I just got a letter from th e Board sayinh they are looking for 2 other Dr.'s to look at it and let them know what they think. I even ask the MS Dr at the VA to state I had MS with Symptoms back in the 1970's and she said she will do that as only my MS specialist I see all the time can say if I had it back in the 1970's. I told this to the board and still asking for more Dr.s to look at it.
Is this normal? Can anyone tell me what other steps I need to do to get approved. I am thinking they are thinking they will denie my claim.

Any and all help will be great as I have 55 days before they say the outcome.

[WACVet]

MS is considered presumptive of service, 7 year limit, but if you can show symptoms, especially the diagnosis, you should not have even had to go before the BVA. I don't know why the VARO didn't award it to you, other than someone just didn't want to do their job! Now, if the diagnosis was recent, and the Dr. notes you sent were also recently dated, then the RO will have to go over your service records, and VA records to look for the symptoms to support your claim.

[Bob698]

Are you trying to get medical benefits, pension benefits, or both?
The other question I would ask myself is what are my finances like? If you're already covered for insurance and/or you're employed or otherwise compensated, you may be facing a pretty steep hill for getting a pension.
Is anyone representing you with the VA? If so, what are they saying?