The Veteran's claims for service connection for hoarseness and swallowing difficulties are denied as they are secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis. The claim for constipation associated with multiple sclerosis is granted, but the effective date remains April 1, 2017.,An earlier effective date of January 8, 2021, was assigned for SMC based on loss of use due to complete organic aphonia and constant inability to communicate by speech. The Veteran's claim for statutory housebound SMC is denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for hoarseness and swallowing difficulties as they were secondary to multiple sclerosis, which was first claimed on April 1, 2017. The constipation claim was granted but with a later effective date due to its onset prior to the initial claim.,The Veteran's loss of use due to aphonia was noted in January 8, 2021, VA examination and thus an earlier effective date for SMC based on this condition is not warranted. The statutory housebound SMC claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for entitlement.
- Claimed conditions
- hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, constipation
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24056562
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24056562.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 8, 2020 for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected chronic seronegative myasthenia gravis and hoarseness.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation and service connection was denied due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions in April 2024 and March 2025, thus dismissing the appeal.
- Whole decision: 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.
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