The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and secondary disabilities is granted with an effective date of July 7, 2009. The Board also finds the Veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date of July 7, 2009 for SMC based on housebound criteria.

The deciding factor: The Veteran had symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as early as July 7, 2009 and was diagnosed with the condition later. The Board found that resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, he is entitled to an earlier effective date of July 7, 2009 for service connection.

Claimed conditions

Parkinson’s disease, Right upper extremity impairment, Left upper extremity impairment, Left lower extremity impairment, Loss of sense of smell, Difficulty chewing and swallowing (dysphagia), Speech changes including verbal stutter, Balance impairment

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

June 17, 2019

Citation

19146856

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 19146856.