Parkinson's disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment. The TDIU claim was denied as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's loss of use of both feet is now rated at 100 percent effective prior to July 9, 2014.,An increased rating of 20 percent for the back condition associated with Parkinson's disease has been granted effective prior to July 9, 2014.,The Veteran’s constipation associated with Parkinson's Disease is now rated at 10 percent effective prior to July 9, 2014.,An increased rating of 20 percent for incontinence associated with Parkinson's disease has been granted effective prior to July 9, 2014.,The Veteran’s loss of use of automatic movements associated with Parkinson's Disease is now rated at 20 percent effective prior to July 9, 2014.,An increased rating of 10 percent for difficulty chewing/swallowing associated with Parkinson's disease has been granted effective prior to July 9, 2014.,The Veteran’s speech changes associated with Parkinson's Disease are now rated at 30 percent effective prior to July 9, 2014.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease as secondary to TBI with cognitive disorder because the new evidence did not establish a link between the condition and either the service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, heart disease, and a skin disorder are not diseases that are acknowledged to be presumptively related to exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant is denied service connection for these conditions due to lack of prior claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for extreme joint pain is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for skin disorder, to include malignant melanomas, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for rectal impact surgery as secondary to service-connected organic aphonia is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to its inextricability with other pending appeals, and will readjudicate whether the appellant is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits after resolving those issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson’s disease due to Agent Orange exposure has been dismissed as the Veteran passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the claims for left forearm, left leg, left wrist, and right forearm shrapnel wounds as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson's Disease are remanded due to need for further development.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and TBI are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding these conditions.,The Veteran's TDIU claim will be remanded as well.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and Parkinson’s disease were withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke have been dismissed as there is no evidence to support service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson’s Disease, presumptively attributable to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease was not shown to be present in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the disability and his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not satisfy the elements for a VA examination due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine if there are ascertainable residuals of Parkinson's disease that can be rated separately, and whether the peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity and bilateral upper extremities is related to service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease, cervical dystonia as secondary to Parkinson's disease, and depression as secondary to Parkinson's disease due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, including aspiration pneumonia due to Parkinson’s disease and contributing causes such as arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with associated coronary artery bypass graft, are not at least as likely as not related to a service-connected disability. The VA examiner's opinion is considered more probative than the private practitioner's opinion.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The case will also be reviewed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Korea, which could potentially grant service connection under a presumption of exposure.