Parkinson's disease decisions — 2013

The Board found that Parkinson's disease did not manifest in service and is unrelated to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation or asbestos. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's hand tremor was not incurred or aggravated in service, and Parkinson's disease may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and a low back disorder, but the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and a skin disorder remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues except Parkinson's disease, hypertension, depression, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, respiratory disorder/breathing disorder, vertigo, double vision, and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson's disease is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's neurological disease, currently diagnosed as Parkinson's disease, became manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within a year of separation from service and thus meets the criteria for service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). For his autoimmune disease claim (vitiligo), additional development is needed due to lack of an examination.

The Veteran contends that his Parkinson's disease is related to service, specifically alleging a one-year history of symptoms starting in 1991. The Board finds the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Parkinson's disease is denied as it cannot be earlier than when the law went into effect on August 31, 2010. The Veteran was not part of the Nehmer class and therefore cannot be considered a Nehmer class member.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a Parkinson's disease evaluation and an assessment of his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, kidney disorder (also claimed as a urinary disorder), or low blood pressure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease, kidney disorder (claimed as a urinary disorder), and low blood pressure is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's increased rating claim for WPW syndrome, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that it is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease cannot be granted based on herbicide exposure.

The Board found that Parkinson's disease or other neurological disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to be so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that it is likely as not due to herbicide exposure while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides or other environmental factors. The claim was denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to herbicide exposure.