Parkinson's disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type I, Parkinson's disease, essential tremors, and a pulmonary disorder due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran served in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and Parkinson's disease, both claimed as due to exposure to herbicides. The case is being remanded to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides at Fort Chaffee.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Parkinson's disease. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination and review of the DOD inventory of herbicide operations, is needed to determine if exposure to pesticides or herbicides during service may be related to his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of whether he was unemployable prior to September 6, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further verification of service dates. The Veteran's claim for reopening his Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome claim remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and his military service, including exposure to toxins during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for Parkinson's Disease due to insufficient information regarding whether his condition is related to handling TCE while serving as a sonar technician aboard Navy ships during military service. The case will be returned to the RO for obtaining additional treatment records and for having another VA examiner review the claims files.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and Parkinson's disease were denied, while his claim for a higher rating for rhinosinusitis with headaches was granted at 30%.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as secondary to head trauma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0% (noncompensable).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from the 1950s and mid-1980s, arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to service exposure, and considering all evidence in the claims file.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish service connection for the cause of death due to possible myocardial infarction and Parkinson's disease, as there was no in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but denied service connection for a cardiac disability, including Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim and denies another.

The Board has determined that the termination of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was improper, as it had not been in effect long enough to warrant a reduction. The Veteran's disability remains severe enough to require such benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation and WPW syndrome were incurred in service, as there is credible evidence showing a pre-existing condition aggravated by military service. The coronary artery disease and chronic congestive heart failure are not related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Parkinson's disease. The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA treatment records.