Parkinson's disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his tremors, which may be related to exposure to herbicides during service. The AOJ should also obtain any additional private treatment records and current VA clinical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had service in Vietnam and, therefore, exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, Parkinson's disease is presumed to have been incurred in service for purposes of retroactive benefits.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic Parkinsonism with gait disorder and a retroactive effective date.,The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection of post-traumatic Parkinsonism with gait disorder should be April 24, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for Parkinson's disease remains under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure disorder and tremor disorder, including Parkinson's disease and organic brain syndrome, are not related to service. The criteria for special monthly pension were also not met as he does not meet the need for aid and attendance or housebound requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development due to a lack of hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease is being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea, as he served during a period outside of the recognized time frame for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's chronic back disability is found to have been incurred in service, and his hand tremors are not shown to be related to herbicide exposure or service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without considering non-service connected conditions, were not so severe as to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Veteran does not have a disability rated at 100% and has not been otherwise rendered in need of regular aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson's disease is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease or Parkinson's disease, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for schizophrenia was granted. However, the Board found that there is no causal relationship between his Parkinson's disease and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to July 9, 2014 was granted as he met the schedular requirements and it was reasonably shown that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person prior to December 11, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to place the relevant evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a back disability related to service, and thus grants service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's Parkinson's disease to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and his Parkinson's disease can be presumed related to this exposure. Therefore, he is granted service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his exposure to herbicides during service, presumptively connecting his Parkinson's disease to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claims for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, thyroid condition, neck pain condition, Parkinson's disease, chest pain, and left leg condition have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection has not been established for migraine headaches, prostatitis, degenerative changes in the left shoulder, or bilateral knee disabilities.