Parkinson's disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of surgical treatment at a VA Medical Center due to lack of evidence showing that the care provided by VA was careless, negligent, or lacked proper skill.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings related to his TBI, including sleep apnea, low back disability, pain of both upper and lower extremities (including fibromyalgia), and Parkinson's disease. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing secondary aggravation.

The Veteran's WPW syndrome is not service-connected as it was a congenital condition that pre-existed service. Service connection for secondary lupus due to WPW syndrome cannot be established.,Drug-induced lupus resulting from procainamide treatment during service has been found, and the Veteran is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran has effectively lost use of his lower extremities due to service-connected Parkinson's disease, and is therefore eligible for specially adapted housing. The claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an earlier effective date for Parkinson's disease have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for Parkinson's disease and cervical dystonia due to their inextricably intertwined nature. The Veteran is required to be provided with a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his conditions, including whether they are related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current neurological symptoms and exposure to TCP or head injuries during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, which causes him to need assistance with daily personal needs such as preparing food, eating, bathing, hygiene, and medication management.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as due to exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure as there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure, and denied the claim based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and Parkinson's disease based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinsonism and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to have been incurred in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating as his conditions are currently non-compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atypical Parkinsonism with signs and symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for PSP due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and hyperglycemia with hyperlipidemia and his active service.,As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran was granted SMC for aid and attendance, but the Board found that he did not meet the criteria to receive a higher level of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, nerve damage, right arm numbness, and headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Thailand and his Parkinson's disease is presumed to have been incurred due to this exposure. The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Board is remanding the case to conduct a video conference hearing for the Veteran as requested.