Parkinson's disease decisions — 2007

The veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease, which he claims developed due to his military service and exposure to environmental hazards during his deployment in the Persian Gulf. The VA has not obtained all relevant records, including those from 1991-1995 at the Montgomery VA Medical Center and any evidence of service in Southwest Asia. Additionally, a VA neurological examination is needed to determine if Parkinson's disease is related to military service or exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease is at least as likely as not related to head trauma sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paroxysmal tachycardia, WPW syndrome does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is intermittent and no more than four episodes per year are documented by ECG or Holter monitor.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing on the issue of service connection for Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome.

The veteran's claimed conditions of benign prostatic hypertrophy, Parkinson's disease, and neuropathy were not shown to have had onset during service or within the one-year presumptive period following separation from service.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease results in permanent loss of use of at least one foot or hand, warranting financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's myocardial infarction does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as it does not result in left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the veteran's death.,Service connection was not granted for heart attack with bypass surgery, cerebral vascular accident, seizure attack, Parkinson's disease, and protein S deficiency as secondary to service-connected essential tremors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, as due to exposure to Agent Orange, was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service medical records and a lack of VA treatment records from 1972 to August 2000.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits or DEA eligibility.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head, back, and right knee injuries due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Parkinson's disease was diagnosed but not linked to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence to link Parkinson's disease to active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, Parkinson's Disease, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims, and that there was no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) was granted, but denied service connection for Parkinson's disease due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostatitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of Parkinson's disease is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected seizure disorder, combined with his Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, rendered him factually in need of regular aid and attendance.