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Multiple Sclerosis Information

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include the following:

  • Visual disturbances

  • Muscle weakness

  • Trouble with coordination and balance

  • Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"

  • Thinking and memory problems
     

No one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your body attacks itself. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak or walk. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

 

For more information contact Jack French at 214-674-6386​

VA Benefits

If you are a veteran diagnosed with MS within 7 years of your separation from the military, the Veterans Health Administration may classify your illness as related to your military service and award you a service-connected disability. You may still be eligible if you separated from the military more than 7 years ago: you must have a diagnosis by a healthcare provider, preferably a neurologist, who links the symptoms you had during those 7 years directly to your current diagnosis.  Some veterans have had success by using a "nexus" letter.

To find out if you are eligible, please call 214-857-0105 or 214-857-0106. When applying for benefits, make sure you have a complete and ongoing journal of:

  • All of your symptoms. Include dates, duration, severity, names of medical providers,
    and any witnesses who can attest to the limitations imposed by your MS.

  • Questions for your healthcare providers. Take it with you to all medical appointments.

  • File of all your medical records (military and non-military). You must have a copy of your
     DD Form 214 and documentation of all your medical information to date.
    This information could help support a case for future rating increases.

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