The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ALS with loss of use of both hands and feet, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 23, 2008 due to the liberalizing legislation establishing a presumptive service connection for ALS.
The deciding factor: The effective date for the grant of service connection was fixed in accordance with the facts found (the effective date of the liberalizing legislation) and not earlier than the effective date of the act or administrative issue (September 23, 2008).
- Claimed conditions
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 3, 2013
- Citation
- 1311019
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1311019.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's PLS, a variant of ALS, is granted as service connected. The Board found sufficient evidence to presume that PLS developed due to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability, loss of use of extremities, or other qualifying conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's ALS was granted service connection throughout the appeal period.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for ALS was denied as the earliest possible effective date is July 1, 2024.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.