Parkinson's disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection is sought, and there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for flat feet, Parkinson's disease, left leg disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the earliest date of a pending claim for service connection is August 7, 2013. Therefore, an effective date of August 7, 2013, but not earlier, will be assigned for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and TMJ dysfunction have been granted. Effective February 9, 2011, he is rated at 100% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the right and left upper extremities, and 80% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease is granted, with the effective date set at July 1, 1997.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, he has been employed in a protected environment and currently earns income that exceeds the poverty threshold for one person. The evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records from Dr. Reddy and determining if the appellant is eligible to be recognized as a substitute for the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the cost of room and board at Briarcrest Estates, which provides custodial care to the appellant due to her medical condition (Parkinsonism), can be considered an unreimbursed medical expense for purposes of calculating her countable income towards nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's Parkinson's disease residuals are being evaluated to determine if they warrant an increased rating or SMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss (other than Alzheimer's), dizziness, brain tumor, skin cancer, colon cancer, and headaches have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand, and his Parkinson's disease is now considered service-connected.

The Board found that the cause of death (paralysis agitans) and Parkinson's disease were not caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD, thus denying service-connected burial benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure during the Vietnam era.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of TDIU is remanded as it may affect the disability ratings assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining information about herbicide exposure during service in Korea and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's disease as due to herbicide exposure is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no valid notices of disagreement filed.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and Parkinson's disease, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appellate period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Parkinson's disease or diabetes mellitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his in-service exposure to various environmental toxins, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.