The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher disability ratings for various conditions related to Parkinson's disease was mostly denied, but a separate 30 percent rating for difficulty chewing and swallowing and a 20 percent rating for sexual dysfunction were granted.

The deciding factor: The Board found no basis for an effective date prior to March 26, 2019, and the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

Claimed conditions

Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, difficulty chewing and swallowing associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, lumbosacral strain with stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, bradykinesia with tremor, muscle rigidity and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, bradykinesia and muscle rigidity of the left upper extremity associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, bradykinesia with tremor and muscle rigidity of the right lower extremity associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, bradykinesia with tremor and muscle rigidity of the right upper extremity associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, constipation associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, loss of sense of smell associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, loss of automatic movements of the left side associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, loss of automatic movements of the right side associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, sexual dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism, loss of taste associated with Parkinson's disease with balance impairment and Parkinsonism

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 13, 2025

Citation

A25002850

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine