The Board granted an effective date of August 28, 2015 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for bilateral lower extremity tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, stiffness, and balance impairment due to Parkinson’s disease.
The deciding factor: It was factually ascertainable that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, stiffness, and balance impairment due to Parkinson’s disease was as worse from the date of claim, namely, August 28, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral lower extremity tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, stiffness, balance impairment due to Parkinson’s disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006936
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,990 · Granted: 35% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20006936.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related symptoms, were granted effective as of August 10, 2022, based on the PACT Act. The effective date is set to the day after the enactment of the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for balance impairment, bradykinesia, freezing of gait, and dyskinesia in both lower extremities were denied as the evidence did not show marked muscle atrophy or complete paralysis.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
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.