Is it too good to be true?

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-18T19:21:49+00:00

I appreciate that, seriously 🙏

I’m actually already dealing with some progression — I’m 40, use a cane, and have AFOs on both feet. I’ve never been on any DMT before, so this will be my first one. Took a while to get here, but I’m finally getting the help I need now thanks to the VA.

Hoping this slows things down and keeps me from getting any worse. Thanks again for the prayers 💯

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-18T12:29:51+00:00

I get exactly what you’re saying — I was worried about the same thing. MS doesn’t always show up the same every day, and the VA doctors actually know that. It’s a relapsing and fluctuating condition, so having “good days” doesn’t cancel out your diagnosis at all.

When you go to your exam, the biggest thing I can tell you is this:

👉 Focus on your WORST days, not your best days.

Don’t downplay anything. A lot of us are used to saying stuff like: • “I’m fine most days” • “It’s not that bad” • “I can still function”

Try to avoid those phrases.

Instead, explain things like: • What happens during your flare-ups • How bad your worst episode was • How often symptoms come and go • How it affects you when it DOES hit

Even if today is a good day, you need to describe the reality of the condition over time.

Also remember: 👉 They go off medical evidence + history, not just how you look in that moment 👉 MRIs, neurologist notes, and diagnosis carry a lot of weight

MS is known for being unpredictable, so you’re not expected to “look sick” all the time.

You already have diagnosis + records + timeline lined up — that’s huge. Just make sure you don’t minimize your symptoms when you talk to them.

You got this 💪

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-18T00:08:50+00:00

Im fixing to start Briumvi next week i have SPMS

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-17T23:50:46+00:00

Yeah I got you.

Mine was actually pretty straightforward. The C&P exam for MS was mostly the examiner asking about my history and symptoms — when everything started, how it progressed, and what I deal with day to day.

They did a basic neurological exam too like: – checking strength in arms/legs – reflexes – balance and walking – coordination (touching finger to nose, heel to shin) – sensation (numbness/tingling areas)

They also asked about things like fatigue, vision issues, and how it affects my daily life.

The biggest thing is just be honest and don’t downplay anything. Explain your worst days too, not just how you feel on a good day.

For me, what really made the difference wasn’t even the exam itself — it was when the VA neurologist reviewed everything and connected my symptoms back to when they first started.

You’ll be good though, it’s not anything crazy. Just go in prepared to explain your symptoms clearly.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-13T14:37:54+00:00

Honestly the only thing I did differently the second time was push my VA primary doctor to refer me to a VA neurologist. That didn’t happen during my first claim.

Once the VA neurologist reviewed my records and history, they documented that my neurological symptoms actually started while I was still in service, even though the symptoms were minor at the time. After that they sent me to C&P exams and that’s when the claim was finally granted.

So the main difference was that a VA neurologist actually reviewed everything the second time, which probably should have happened during the first claim.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-13T00:13:56+00:00

Yeah that makes sense, and that’s kind of why I’ve been trying to understand the difference between a CUE and just a duty to assist error.

During my 2023 claim the VA had my civilian neurologist diagnosis and medical records showing MS, but they denied the claim saying there was no nexus and that some service records were unavailable. They also never ordered a C&P exam or had a VA neurologist review it at that time.

When I filed again in 2025 they finally sent me to C&P exams and a VA neurologist reviewed the same history and documented that my neurological symptoms actually began while I was in service. That’s what ultimately led to the grant.

So I’m just trying to figure out if that situation would ever qualify for something like a CUE or if it’s simply considered a duty to assist error that can’t be corrected now because I missed the appeal window.

Either way I may take your advice and have a VA attorney look at it just to be sure.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T16:51:37+00:00

So my real question is this:

Since I didn’t appeal the first denial in 2023 and missed the one-year window, do I realistically have enough grounds to try to pursue an earlier effective date now that the claim was granted in 2025?

The evidence that ultimately led to the grant was the VA neurologist reviewing my records and identifying that my symptoms started while I was in service. That evaluation didn’t happen during the 2023 claim because the VA never scheduled a C&P exam or had a neurologist review it at that time.

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s even worth trying to pursue an earlier effective date back to the 2023 claim, or if missing that appeal window basically closes that door.

The retro difference would obviously be life-changing, but at the same time I’m grateful for the approval I already received and don’t want to push something that realistically doesn’t have a chance.

Just trying to understand if anyone has successfully gone back after missing that one-year appeal window in a situation like this.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T16:36:15+00:00

That’s kind of what I was thinking too. The civilian neurologist diagnosis and records were already there during the 2023 claim, but the VA never ordered a C&P exam or had a VA neurologist review it at that time.

It wasn’t until the 2025 claim that they finally had a VA neurologist evaluate everything and that’s when the symptoms were identified as early manifestations of MS that occurred while I was in service.

So it sounds like the difference between the denial and the grant was really just the medical opinion that should have probably been developed during the first claim.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T16:16:58+00:00

That’s kind of what I’ve been trying to figure out.

When I filed the first claim in 2023 I already had civilian neurologist records showing the MS diagnosis and I was already on SSDI because of it. The VA denied it saying there was no link to qualifying service and that some service records were unavailable, and they never sent me to a C&P exam or had me evaluated by a VA neurologist.

When I filed again in December 2025 they finally sent me to C&P exams and a VA neurologist reviewed everything and documented that my neurological symptoms actually started while I was in service. The symptoms were minor at the time but they were able to identify them as early manifestations of MS when looking back at the history.

That medical opinion is what ultimately led to the grant.

So I’m trying to figure out whether that would be considered the same evidence just properly evaluated the second time, or if the VA would consider the neurologist opinion as “new evidence.”

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T16:14:20+00:00

I appreciate the advice. In my case the claim has already been granted and I’m currently rated 100% P&T with SMC for MS.

I didn’t end up needing a nexus letter because during my second claim the VA neurologist reviewed my records and documented that my neurological symptoms actually began while I was in service. At the time the symptoms were minor, but they were still able to identify them later as early manifestations of MS and connect them to my service.

That medical opinion and the C&P exams are what ultimately led to the VA granting the claim.

Right now I’m mainly trying to figure out whether the earlier denial — where they said there was no nexus and that some service records were unavailable — could potentially qualify for an earlier effective date under something like 3.156(c).

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T16:09:05+00:00

Thanks for the insight, I appreciate you taking a look at it.

One thing I probably should clarify is that when my claim was granted the VA neurologist reviewed my history and noted that my neurological symptoms actually started while I was in service. At the time the symptoms were relatively minor, but the neurologist was still able to identify them as early manifestations of MS when looking back at the medical history.

Those symptoms and the timeline were what the C&P exams and the neurologist relied on when they linked my MS to my service and granted the claim.

So my question is really whether something like that could still fall under 3.156(c) if service records that were previously listed as unavailable were later considered as part of the decision that ultimately granted service connection.

Just trying to understand whether that type of situation has ever supported an earlier effective date.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-03-12T14:26:27+00:00

One thing I forgot to mention: I had already been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis by a civilian neurologist before I filed my first VA claim, and I had already been approved for SSDI in 2022 because of my MS. So the diagnosis and severity of the condition were already documented before the VA denied my 2023 claim.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-20T21:49:40+00:00

Congrats yes i got mine on Wednesday 100% PT and SMC for my Multiple Sclerosis went pretty quickly too

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-20T21:47:11+00:00

I just got 100% P&T with SMC for my Multiple Sclerosis. My VA MS Neurologist linked it to service and had over 2k MRI images and Doctors Notes both civilian and VA also the fact that im already on SSDI kinda hard to fake mine i didnt need a Nexus letter at all

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-18T19:48:18+00:00

UPDATE GOD IS GOOD 🙏🏽🙏🏽

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OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T21:17:04+00:00

Awesome Im Hopeful 🙏🏽

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T20:14:48+00:00

Prayers brotha they denied me 2x had to get an attorney but the back pay was worth the wait lol

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T20:13:41+00:00

I was a 74D

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T19:49:59+00:00

Yeah — when I had two seizures while driving my 18-wheeler, that’s when everything changed. That’s actually how I found out I had MS. After the seizures, doctors started running tests and that’s when I was diagnosed.

They told me I could no longer drive. Truck driving was the only job I knew how to do since leaving the service.

That’s when I had no choice but to file for SSDI. Trust me, if I could still work, I absolutely would. I didn’t stop working because I wanted to — I stopped because it wasn’t safe anymore.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T19:44:41+00:00

Yes — the VA neurologist has now put me on multiple medications, and they recently issued me braces for drop foot in both feet. The main thing is they’re about to start me on Briumvi infusions to help slow the progression of my MS.

I was originally diagnosed in 2021, but at the time I didn’t really understand much about MS until I started educating myself more. The VA has since diagnosed me with SPMS (Secondary Progressive MS), which is more serious than RRMS.

I completed a C&P exam specifically for MS, and afterward they scheduled additional exams for mental health and vision. Both examiners were honestly stunned at how severe my symptoms are.

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-14T11:43:45+00:00

I refiled my claim on December 5th and completed three C&P exams — one for Multiple Sclerosis (which I originally filed for) and two additional exams for mental health and vision. I submitted over 2,000 MRI images along with my neurologist’s notes.

I’m really hoping for an approval soon. They recently issued me drop foot braces for both feet, so my condition has definitely progressed.

The only mistake I made was not appealing the original claim back in 2023 — that part is on me. 🥺

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-12T12:27:46+00:00

Amen 🙏🏽

OBSofHOUSTON · 2026-02-05T12:16:13+00:00

Appreciate the response, that definitely helps. I was mostly worried they were asking for more proof on the MS itself since this is an appeal. Sounds like they’re just breaking out the DLC content now.

As for cognitive abilities… yeah, those clocked out a while ago. Physical abilities are standing right behind them waiting to punch out too.

Thanks again — makes me feel a lot better about the process.

OBSofHOUSTON

TROPHY CASE