Parkinson's disease decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and a higher evaluation for hypertension are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his exposure to pesticides during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; thus he has an employment handicap. The Board finds that the veteran meets the criteria for entitlement to benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 70%, and he has overcome his employment handicap by securing and maintaining a job consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The VA determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease and other additional disabilities were not proximately caused by VA treatment, including prescribed medications for his major depression with suicidal ideation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease had its origins during his period of active service and contributed substantially to his death. The appeal for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is dismissed as untimely.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's parkinsonism was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for parkinsonism resulting from VA treatment with potassium permanganate was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic encephalopathy and his claimed dementia, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from pneumonia, with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinsonism being significant contributing factors. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and Parkinson's disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran is denied payment of unauthorized medical expenses for emergency room services rendered at St. Mary's Medical Center in Racine, Wisconsin on September 5, 1999 due to lack of service connection and other eligibility criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease, which had its onset during his service, contributed substantially to his death due to a pulmonary embolus. Therefore, the cause of the veteran's death is considered to be incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease was incurred during his military service, as evidenced by symptoms of tremors observed during service and a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 1991.

The Board found that the veteran does not require regular aid and attendance or be considered housebound due to his disabilities.,VA determined that recovery of the overpayment is against equity and good conscience, considering factors such as the appellant's lack of fraud and undue financial hardship.

The veteran's Parkinson's Disease and Glaucoma were not addressed at the time of the February 1999 VA aid and attendance/housebound examination. The RO is required to obtain medical records from Dr. R A. Velez Arce, review the claims file for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, and provide a supplemental statement of the case if the benefit sought remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with associated hypertensive cardiovascular disease and progressive loss of vision, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran contends that his service-connected Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome has worsened and is more disabling than the current 30 percent rating. The Board requested additional development to determine if all symptoms are related to the service-connected condition.

The veteran has been granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, attributing it to boxing injuries sustained during active military service.