SandyTX9

Yes I agree the VA did an outstanding job especially for such a quick turn around on the claim. We are not questioning the award but the rating decision said the effective date is October 9, 2011 the date we filed the claim. As I stated in my original post this was the last paragraph under "Reasons for Decision": An earlier effective date may be warranted for our grant of service connection for Parkinson;s disease if you are able to submit medical evidence of a diagnosis of Parkinsons's prior to August 31, 2010, the date that Parkinson's was added as a presumptive condition due to exposure to tactical herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam." We do not not know if this is saying the effective date could be earlier if we are able to submit evidence the PD was diagnosed prior to 8/31/2010. Which he was diagnosed October, 2009 but the VA has that information on the PD Disablity Benefits Questionaire that was used to grant his award. Or does that paragraph mean we had to submit the diagnosis of PD prior to 8/31/2010. This is the only claim my husband has ever filed with the VA. Thanks so much for everyone's response. I recently found this website and have been reading nonstop, there is a wealth of information here.

I am not sure if I am posting this in the correct place but here is our situation. Found this very informative website when I googled agent orange and parkinsons. My husband served in Viet Nam from 1969 to 1971. He was diagnosed with parkinsons in October of 2009. We did not know anything about VA and presumptives until we came across an article on the internet in October of 2011. Filed a claim for parkinsons on October 9, 2011. Yesterday received an award from VA for 30% disability. We are okay with the award but we have a question about about the effective date. Under "Reasons for Decision" where everything is explained about the rating the last paragraph reads: "An earlier effective date may be warranted for our grant of service connection for Parkinson's disease if you are able to submit evidence of a diagnosis of Parkinson's diseae prior to August 31, 2010, the date that Parkinson's was added as a presumptive condition due to exposure to tactical herbicides in the Republic of Vietman." Does this mean he had to be diagnosed before 8/31/10 which he was or the diagnosis had to be submitted before 8/31/10. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my question and help us. We are new to all of this and it is extremely confusing.