The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for various Parkinson's disease residuals, except for speech changes and constipation which were granted an effective date of July 3, 2019. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also granted.
The deciding factor: The claimant did not file a formal or informal claim prior to July 3, 2019, and VA's receipt of medical records does not establish an intent to seek service connection for Parkinson's disease. The effective date is based on the date of receipt of the initial claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Parkinson's disease with left upper extremity tremor, right side loss of automatic movements associated with Parkinson's disease, left side loss of automatic movements associated with Parkinson's disease, right side stooped posture 11th cranial nerve associated with Parkinson's disease, left side stooped posture 11th cranial nerve associated with Parkinson's disease, urinary incontinence associated with Parkinson's disease, right lower extremity muscle rigidity and stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease, left lower extremity muscle rigidity and stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease, loss of sense of smell associated with Parkinson's disease, sleep disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease, difficulty chewing/swallowing associated with Parkinson's disease, right upper extremity tremor associated with Parkinson's disease, erectile dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease, balance impairment, bradykinesia, and slowed motion associated with Parkinson's disease, speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease, constipation associated with Parkinson's disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25027943
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions effective April 16, 2007, but no earlier, and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for constipation. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted from August 30, 2013.
- Partly granted
The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, restored a 10 percent rating for right knee instability effective May 12, 2021, and granted an effective date of June 22, 2016, but no earlier, for the award of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35.
- Granted
The Board granted effective dates of March 18, 2022 for the awards of service connection and ratings for various conditions including left upper extremity tremor, right upper extremity tremor, constipation, balance impairment, sexual dysfunction, and loss of a creative organ.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 15, 2019, for the grant of service connection for left and right side conditions associated with Parkinson's disease but denied higher ratings.
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