Parkinson's disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lupus has been reopened, but the issue remains pending as new and material evidence has not yet been received.,Service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (heart disability) is still under consideration.

The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam, and has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.,The Veteran has contended he developed PTSD due to stressors related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam. The competent medical evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from October 5, 2005, to November 9, 2014. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent have been met and granted this increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and thus did not apply the presumptive presumption. The appeal regarding skin cancer was found timely.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's Parkinson's disease.

The Board has granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as moot due to the grant of compensation.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if his Parkinson's disease or other conditions are related to the March 2009 right ankle surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for initial consideration of his claim in light of new evidence submitted by him.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with a rating or effective date as his claims were all reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his in-service exposure. The issue of a higher rating for duodenitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernia with erosion of teeth extending into dentine and dental caries is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions prior to August 7, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than April 20, 2010, for the grant of service connection for Parkinson's disease with left lower extremity impairment, right lower extremity impairment, left upper extremity impairment, right upper extremity impairment, and impairment of the seventh cranial nerve (drooling) is not warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The case is REMANDED as the RO needs to obtain unit records and determine if the Veteran was exposed in Vietnam.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease has been rated at a combined 90 percent, with separate ratings for each affected extremity and facial nerve.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease, claiming it is due to exposure to herbicides in service. The case is being remanded for further development of his allegation of exposure.

The Veteran's WPW was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective May 15, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's SMC is currently at the 'm' rate based on his service-connected Parkinson's disease and PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development to consider whether he should be rated higher due to need for aid and attendance based solely on PTSD, or if he meets criteria for loss of use of lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease was received on March 1, 2010. The earliest effective date for the establishment of service connection is therefore March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied. His PTSD and Parkinson's disease were granted with a 70% rating, effective from January 20, 2010.