A progressive disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that causes muscle weakness and loss of movement.
Because ALS carries a single 100% rating tied to the diagnosis itself, the most important evidence is medical documentation confirming the diagnosis. Records from a neurologist or other treating physician that establish the ALS diagnosis are central to a claim. This includes clinical notes, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG) results, or other diagnostic testing that your doctors used to reach the diagnosis. Records showing the progression of symptoms — such as muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or respiratory changes — can support the picture of the condition over time. Because the regulation also directs VA to consider special monthly compensation, statements from you or your caregivers describing the level of assistance you need for daily activities may be relevant to that separate determination.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
