The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that between 55,000 and 70,000 veterans in the United States live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic and often debilitating neurological disease. MS symptoms can range from mild to severe, impacting mobility, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.
Veterans diagnosed with multiple sclerosis may qualify for 100% VA disability, depending on the severity and range of their symptoms. These symptoms may include muscle weakness, vision impairment, extreme fatigue, loss of coordination, and cognitive dysfunction. The VA recognizes that MS can have a delayed onset, meaning some veterans may not receive a diagnosis until years after discharge. However, they may still qualify for 100% VA disability with multiple sclerosis if they can establish a service connection through medical records, expert opinions, or VA presumptive conditions.
Service Connecting Multiple Sclerosis
To establish service connection for MS, a veteran must provide:
- A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis from a qualified medical professional, such as a neurologist
- Evidence of an in-service event (including toxic exposure), illness, or injury that could have contributed to or triggered MS symptoms
- A nexus linking the in-service occurrence to their MS, typically established through a medical opinion or supporting research on MS development
- Establishing service connection can be challenging due to MS’s unpredictable progression and varying symptom onset. Veterans should gather as much supporting documentation as possible, including service medical records, post-service treatment records, and expert medical opinions.
Presumptive service connection eliminates the need to prove a direct link between service and MS. This means veterans do not need to provide additional evidence that their condition was caused by military service, as the VA presumes the connection if the diagnosis meets the required timeline. However, veterans diagnosed outside of the presumptive period may still qualify through strong medical evidence demonstrating early symptom onset or service-related triggers.
When Is Multiple Sclerosis a VA Presumptive Condition?
The VA considers multiple sclerosis a presumptive condition if a veteran is diagnosed with MS that is at least 10% disabling within seven years of separation from service. This presumption is in place because multiple sclerosis often has an unpredictable progression, with early symptoms sometimes being overlooked or misdiagnosed.
If diagnosed after the seven-year window, veterans may still establish a service connection by demonstrating that symptoms began within the presumptive period. Because MS symptoms can appear subtly and evolve over time, establishing this connection requires strong supporting evidence. To do so, they may need:
- Medical records documenting early symptoms within seven years of discharge, even if MS was not explicitly diagnosed at the time
- A detailed medical opinion from a neurologist or specialist linking those early symptoms to a current multiple sclerosis diagnosis
- Statements from family, friends, or fellow service members who observed signs of neurological issues or unexplained symptoms
- A retrospective medical opinion from a qualified medical professional explaining how those early symptoms were likely manifestations of MS
Veterans who received treatment for symptoms related to multiple sclerosis during the presumptive period may need an expert medical nexus opinion explicitly connecting their past symptoms to their current MS diagnosis.
In cases where initial claims are denied, veterans should consider submitting additional medical evaluations or independent medical opinions (IMEs) to reinforce their claim. Understanding the long latency period of MS can be crucial in these appeals, as the VA must be shown that the condition was already present within the required timeframe.
Multiple Sclerosis and the PACT Act
Currently, the VA does not recognize any direct connection between multiple sclerosis and exposure to Agent Orange, radiation, or Gulf War toxic exposures. However, ongoing studies continue to explore potential links between toxic exposure and neurological diseases like MS, particularly given the complex nature of autoimmune disorders.
The PACT Act may indirectly benefit veterans with MS, as it expanded healthcare access and streamlined the claims process for other service-related conditions. While MS is not (yet) considered presumptively connected to toxic exposures, veterans who served in areas with known environmental hazards should document any early symptoms and seek expert medical opinions to establish potential service connection. Additionally, expanded VA healthcare coverage through the PACT Act may provide greater support for managing MS symptoms and accessing specialized treatment options.
What to Do When You Don’t Qualify for the Presumption
If your MS diagnosis came after the seven-year presumptive period, you can still establish a service connection by:
- Documenting symptoms that appeared within the seven-year window, even if they were not diagnosed as MS at the time. Look for records of unexplained neurological symptoms, fatigue, or vision problems.
- Gathering detailed medical opinions from specialists linking your current condition to those earlier symptoms. These opinions should explain how early manifestations of MS often go undiagnosed for years.
- Providing lay statements from friends, family, or fellow service members who witnessed early symptoms such as balance issues, memory problems, or muscle weakness.
- Requesting a retrospective medical opinion from a neurologist. This expert can analyze past medical records and provide a statement supporting that MS symptoms were likely present during the presumptive period.
- Seeking an Independent Medical Examination (IME) from a private physician experienced in VA disability claims. An IME can provide an objective, detailed assessment that supports your case.
- Highlighting medical research demonstrating that multiple sclerosis often has a long latency period between first symptoms and diagnosis. Studies suggest that some veterans experience symptoms for years before receiving a formal MS diagnosis.
Additionally, if your symptoms did not appear until well after seven years from your discharge, you may still establish service connection provided that you have a diagnosis, a documented in-service event such as toxic exposure, and a medical opinion which addresses the link between your in-service exposure and your MS diagnosis. Just because you do not qualify for the presumption does not mean you cannot claim service connection using another avenue.
If your initial claim is denied, consider filing an appeal with additional medical documentation, sworn statements, and expert opinions. A VA-accredited attorney or advocate can help strengthen your case and ensure that all available evidence is properly presented. Hill & Ponton may be able to assist you with the appeal process – get a free case evaluation here.
What Is the VA Disability Rating for Multiple Sclerosis?
The VA automatically assigns a minimum 30% rating for multiple sclerosis under Diagnostic Code 8018 in the schedule of ratings for neurological conditions. But veterans can get ratings as high as 100%, based on the severity, frequency, and impact of symptoms on daily functioning, including mobility issues, cognitive decline, and organ dysfunction caused by MS-related complications.
Ratings in addition to the minimum 30% are determined by evaluating the severity of other impairments caused by MS, such as loss of limb function, cognitive deficits, or speech and vision problems. Each symptom is rated separately under its corresponding diagnostic code, and these ratings are combined using the VA’s combined rating formula.
If MS leads to additional complications like bladder dysfunction, muscle atrophy, or visual impairment, the VA must assign secondary ratings for these conditions, increasing the overall disability compensation. This means veterans may receive 50% disability, 60%, 70%, or even more.
A 100% VA rating is typically assigned to veterans with severe symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning, such as complete loss of mobility, bowel and bladder incontinence, inability to perform self-care, severe cognitive impairment, or loss of speech. MS is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms can worsen over time, and a veteran’s rating may need to be re-evaluated if their condition deteriorates.
How to Get 100% VA Disability for Multiple Sclerosis
Veterans may qualify for a 100% disability rating for multiple sclerosis in the following ways:
- Permanent and Total (P&T) Disability – MS is considered permanently disabling with no likelihood of improvement (also known as a “static” disability). If the VA determines that your MS symptoms result in a 100% combined rating, your rating may be considered permanent without the need for future re-evaluations.
- Combined VA Rating of 100% – Veterans with multiple service-connected disabilities may reach a combined 100% rating. Since MS affects multiple body systems, veterans often receive separate ratings for symptoms such as paralysis, speech impairment, bladder dysfunction, or cognitive decline, which can add up to 100% under the VA’s combined ratings formula.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) – Veterans unable to work due to MS may qualify for a 100% rating, depending on their combined rating. If MS symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, or loss of mobility, prevent a veteran from maintaining substantially gainful employment, they can be awarded TDIU, which pays at the 100% level even if their combined rating is lower than 100%.
Can You Get More than 100% Benefits for MS?
Veterans with multiple sclerosis may be entitled to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), an additional benefit provided to those with severe disabilities beyond the standard VA disability rating. SMC may be awarded for:
- Loss of use of extremities – Veterans who experience significant impairment or paralysis in their arms or legs due to MS may qualify for additional compensation.
- Need for regular aid and attendance – If multiple sclerosis prevents a veteran from performing daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or feeding themselves, they may receive SMC to cover the cost of a caregiver.
- Being housebound due to MS symptoms – Veterans who are unable to leave their homes without assistance due to severe MS-related limitations may qualify for housebound benefits.
Additional VA benefits available to veterans with MS include:
- Adaptive housing grants – Financial assistance for modifying homes to accommodate mobility impairments, such as wheelchair ramps or widened doorways.
- Automobile allowances – Funds to help purchase or adapt a vehicle for veterans with severe mobility limitations.
- Vocational rehabilitation services – Support for veterans seeking employment or training despite MS-related disabilities.
- Caregiver support programs – Resources and financial assistance for family members who provide daily care for veterans with MS.
- Home-based primary care – Medical care provided in the veteran’s home for those who have difficulty traveling to VA facilities.
Do You Have the Right Rating?
Your VA disability rating should accurately reflect the limitations you face due to MS, including mobility issues, cognitive impairments, and other neurological symptoms. If you believe your rating does not fully account for the severity of your condition, you have the right to challenge the decision.
Consulting a VA-accredited representative can help you comply with the requirements of the claims process and gather the necessary medical evidence to strengthen your case. They can assist in filing for an increase, submitting new medical evaluations, or appealing a denied or underrated claim.
Hill & Ponton is dedicated to helping veterans navigate the VA claims process and secure the full benefits they deserve. If you need assistance with your VA claim, appeal, or rating reassessment, call us today for a free case evaluation.
Content Reviewed by
Attorney Rachel Cheek
Rachel Cheek is an attorney at Hill & Ponton dedicated to helping veterans secure the benefits they deserve. A University of Florida graduate, she combines her passion for social justice with legal expertise to serve those most in need.
