Parkinson's disease decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as secondary to head trauma, based on new and material evidence provided by the Veteran, his spouse, and his sister. The claim is now considered substantiated.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands, arms, legs, and shoulders, water blisters on the hands and feet, loose teeth and calcium knots on the inside of the jaw, injury to the chest, injury to the face with steering wheel fragments, and status post fusion of the cervical spine at C5-6 with osteoarthritis to the left arm. The claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema and knee injuries are reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and Lewy Body dementia as due to a lightning strike in service is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as due to exposure to herbicides. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel record file to determine if he was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Ubon RTAFB.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease did not manifest during service and is not causally related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and hypertension were incurred in or due to his active duty service. The case is now pending for a supplemental opinion from the September 2011 VA examiner or a new one.

The Veteran's Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome has not been manifested by more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia, and the current disability picture does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer, lymphoma, and Parkinson's disease as secondary to his military service. The claim for skin cancer was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to benzene.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to exposure to pesticides and weakness of bilateral upper extremities as secondary to Parkinson's disease. The Veteran is now entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid or attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied as the symptoms since November 7, 1996, were indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and flexibility.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and tremors (claimed as Parkinson's disease) due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or any link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to non-compliance with previous directives and requests for additional information from a witness.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, specifically Wolff Parkinson White syndrome and left bundle branch block, was not incurred or aggravated during active service. The condition is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim has been reopened with the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his hypertension is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or aggravated by other conditions, including Parkinson's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disorder, diagnosed as dystonia or Parkinson's disease, is related to his service in the Gulf War and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for corticobasal degeneration, claimed as Parkinson's disease, due to herbicide exposure was dismissed because the appeal is moot due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his Parkinson's disease is related to service exposure and another examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to require aid and attendance. The case will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis due to staph aureus, with significant conditions including right lower lung density, Parkinson's, and dementia. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with memory loss has been rated at 70% since November 18, 2011. However, the Board found that for the period from November 26, 2004 to November 17, 2011, his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.