Parkinson's disease decisions — 2015

Service connection was granted for myelodysplastic syndrome and Parkinson's disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran received a 10% rating for CAD from February 9, 2011 to October 3, 2012.,The Veteran's service connection claims were denied for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, and thus cannot establish a presumption of service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence also did not show an in-service event, injury or disease related to Parkinson's disease, nor was there any continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that Parkinson's disease is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, granting the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the service connection claim for Parkinson's disease. The Veteran must be notified of his right to de novo review by a Decision Review Officer (DRO), or proceed with the traditional appeal process.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for improved pension, including the increased rate based on need for regular aid and attendance. Therefore, he is not entitled to an improved pension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and therefore meets the presumptive exposure criteria for type II diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for reconsideration in light of a recent grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange and thus could not establish service connection for Parkinson's disease or an acquired psychiatric disorder on a presumptive basis. The claims were denied.

The Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU prior to February 3, 2008 as he had gainful employment at that time. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he does not have qualifying service during a period of war.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which is considered similar to Parkinson's disease, due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease, claiming it is due to herbicide exposure during his service on the USS Sarsfield. The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the extent of herbicide exposure and remands the case for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury foot disabilities are considered to have contributed to his death from a cerebral hemorrhage and/or subdural hematoma after a fall.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or chronic diseases during service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not incurred or aggravated during service, and the Board finds that it is not related to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The claim for skin cancer based on herbicide exposure remains pending as there is no evidence of a direct association.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's high cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding and not a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for further development. The presence of herbicides on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during his service needs to be verified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for supranuclear palsy, claimed as Parkinson's disease, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition and its relation to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed in Guam and concludes that his Parkinson's disease is related to this exposure, granting service connection.