Parkinson's disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection for Parkinson's disease, claimed as due to exposure to herbicide, is granted. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted with an effective date of February 20, 2004. The diagnosis was made prior to this date.

The Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his period of active duty for training from June 1957 to August 1957, and the Board finds that Parkinson's disease is not related to service. Service connection for Parkinson's disease is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 25, 2010. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his service or exposure to asbestos, and denied the claim for service connection. The claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and a heart disability due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for tremors, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability of Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disability, diagnosed as corticobasal degeneration and Binswanger's disease, was granted. The condition is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, is considered a congenital defect and not a disability for which service connection may be granted. The preponderance of the evidence weighs against a finding that the Veteran has a current disability (claimed as irregular heartbeat) that resulted from a disease or injury superimposed on this congenital defect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or its waters, and thus does not qualify for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for CLL and Parkinson's disease are denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 40 percent since August 3, 2011. The left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent from March 3, 2015 onwards. The right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent since August 3, 2011. The left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his TBI residuals, have manifested in loss of use of both feet. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury are related to his military service. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease is attributable to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor (claimed as Parkinson's-like symptoms) due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with either condition during service, and there is no credible evidence showing that they are related to his exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than May 19, 2015 for service connection of Parkinson's disease with balance and stride impairment.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The skin rash claim cannot be resolved as the evidence does not establish a relationship with service.,PTSD, anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury are currently manifested by occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease is attributable to service and grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that he has met the criteria for service connection.