Parkinson's disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran has been granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, with the presumption of exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a right knee disability or heart disability due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disabilities were found not to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to service, including environmental exposures in service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, but remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for malignant melanoma and Parkinson's disease due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not shown to be related to his period of service and did not find any evidence linking it to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, citing a March 2014 written statement expressing his wish to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and Parkinson's disease, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of the Veteran's level of exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and thus cannot establish service connection based on such exposure. The claim for Parkinson's disease was denied as there is no medical evidence supporting a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure, and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and subarachnoid cyst (claimed as a brain tumor) due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not show any in-service or post-service diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the right hand is found to be due to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that there is not enough evidence to establish a direct link between his current hearing loss disability or heart disorder (Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome) and his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by active military service. The issue of Parkinson's disease is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure is reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease due to Agent Orange exposure is also reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and placing a copy of the JSRRC memorandum in the Veteran's file. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure and for erectile dysfunction as secondary to Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected WPW syndrome has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 26, 1991. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at this date.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, recurrent atrial fibrillation, skin cancer, and Parkinson's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for skin cancer has been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service and an addendum medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease, right hip disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability (including scoliosis and associated numbness), and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no credible evidence to support his assertions regarding in-service events or injuries. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his active service.