definition of ALS establishing presumptive service connection for ALS assigning a 100-percent minimum evaluation for ALS evaluation guidelines for ALS, and ALS and ancillary benefits August 6, 2015 Change Date a. Definition of (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS neuromuscular disease that causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. b. Establishing Effective September 23, 2008, established a presumption of SC for ALS for Presumptive any Veteran who SC for ALS had active, continuous service of 90 days or more, and develops the disease at any time after discharge from active service. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is considered to be a qualifying Note: not disease under . Because PLS and ALS are diseases of the nervous system and both affect motor neurons, treating physicians may not be able to identify whether the Veteran has PLS or ALS in the initial stages. If the diagnosis is uncertain after reviewing the medical evidence, request a medical opinion with examiner review of pertinent evidence in the all claims folder. ALS is evaluated under . c. Assigning a 100 Percent Minimum Effective January 19, 2012, the diagnostic criteria for ALS was amended in Evaluation for to provide a 100-percent evaluation for any Veteran with SC ALS. A ALS diagnosis of ALS alone is sufficient to support an evaluation of 100 percent. A total disability evaluation is the minimum evaluation to be assigned for ALS because of the possibility of SMC and automatic entitlement to ancillary benefits. This rule will be applied to all cases pending before VA on or after, Note: January 19, 2012, and constitute a liberalizing VA regulation under and does for determination of effective dates and retroactive benefits. d. Evaluation Determine the proper evaluation for all complications of ALS prior to coding Guidelines for a single 100-percent evaluation under . Refer to the table below for guidance. ALS
definition of ALS establishing presumptive service connection for ALS assigning a 100-percent minimum evaluation for ALS evaluation guidelines for ALS, and ALS and ancillary benefits Change Date August 6, 2015 a. Definition of ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neuromuscular disease that causes degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. b. Establishing Presumptive SC for ALS Effective September 23, 2008, established a presumption of SC for ALS for any Veteran who had active, continuous service of 90 days or more, and develops the disease at any time after discharge from active service. Note: Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is not considered to be a qualifying disease under . Because PLS and ALS are diseases of the nervous system and both affect motor neurons, treating physicians may not be able to identify whether the Veteran has PLS or ALS in the initial stages. If the diagnosis is uncertain after reviewing the medical evidence, request a medical opinion with examiner review of all pertinent evidence in the claims folder. c. Assigning a 100 Percent Minimum Evaluation for ALS ALS is evaluated under . Effective January 19, 2012, the diagnostic criteria for ALS was amended in to provide a 100-percent evaluation for any Veteran with SC ALS. A diagnosis of ALS alone is sufficient to support an evaluation of 100 percent. A total disability evaluation is the minimum evaluation to be assigned for ALS because of the possibility of SMC and automatic entitlement to ancillary benefits. Note: This rule will be applied to all cases pending before VA on or after, January 19, 2012, and does constitute a liberalizing VA regulation under and for determination of effective dates and retroactive benefits. d. Evaluation Guidelines for ALS Determine the proper evaluation for all complications of ALS prior to coding a single 100-percent evaluation under . Refer to the table below for guidance.
01-12-2016_Key%20Changes_M21-1III_iv_4_SecG.docx