Parkinson's disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to in-service herbicide exposure and granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of exposure documentation and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed radiation exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive symptoms is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities, especially PTSD with depressive symptoms and Parkinson's disease with its associated manifestations, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The issue of Parkinson's disease is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonia, dysphagia profound, Parkinson's Disease and dementia. The Board finds that his service-connected migraine headaches did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for a full discussion of evidence, including lay and medical evidence. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU due to his service-connected disability prior to December 15, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's death was caused by VA negligence during a 2005 surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is not related to his military service, as there was no exposure to Agent Orange or other hazardous substances during his time at Fort McClellan. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for cognitive impairment is granted as it is proximately due to his Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease, claiming it is due to exposure to herbicides during his time in Thailand. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself and in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was caused by his in-service head injury, and whether service connection should be granted for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a disability claimed as Parkinson's disease, and alleged to be due to herbicide exposure. The case is REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a VA examination to assess whether his essential tremors are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Parkinson's disease, which he claims is related to his military service and exposure to herbicides. The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Parkinson's disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain clarification on the etiology of these conditions and to verify herbicide exposure if applicable.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease was not incurred or aggravated in active service and the incurrence or aggravation of Parkinson's disease during active service may not be presumed. The Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, skin disease, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and Parkinson's disease are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to alleged herbicide exposure. His claim for an increased rating for mood disorder with depression remains pending.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current neurological disorder, including Parkinson's disease and dementia, is related to his service. The medical opinions do not establish a link between exposure to chemicals in service and the development of these conditions.