Parkinson's disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson’s disease, stroke and residuals thereof, vision problems, left leg paralysis, and memory loss. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and its associated manifestations are rated as per the criteria set forth in VA regulations.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson’s disease prior to December 9, 2010 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Parkinson's disease (claimed as due to herbicide agents exposure) because the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the effective date is August 31, 2010 due to a liberalizing law adding Parkinson's disease to the list of presumptive disabilities associated with Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not a Nehmer class member and thus could not have an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the earlier effective date issues for TDIU and DEA as they are inextricably intertwined with the extraschedular TDIU claim. The case should be submitted to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson’s disease. The decision also denied his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange while in Taiwan. Further investigation is needed to determine if he was exposed during his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for meningitis, chronic sinusitis, encephalopathy, skin cancer, Parkinson's disease, headaches, lumbar spine DDD, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, neck stiffness, disability manifested by spitting blood, acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and gait ataxia. The Board also remanded for additional development regarding outstanding records from the James Haley VAMC and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a higher rating for orthostatic hypotension. The effective dates for service connection of Parkinson’s disease, tardive dyskinesia, and related conditions are remanded due to incomplete adjudication. Bilateral knee disabilities and schizophrenia are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based solely on his service-connected Parkinson's disease is being remanded and referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. The SMC issues are also remanded, with a request for an examination to determine if the Veteran was housebound or needed regular aid and attendance prior to January 22, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death and his service in Vietnam. The Veteran passed away from respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia, and Parkinson's disease.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The evidence is in equipoise and thus supports granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder and Parkinson’s disease psychosis are found to be caused by his service-connected Parkinson’s disease, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. Service connection for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and granted. The appeal regarding compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability of Parkinson's disease, neurogenic bladder, insomnia, and headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which he had during service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is being remanded for further investigation into his claimed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during service at the Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Korat.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and the issue of service connection for Parkinson's disease associated with herbicide exposure is remanded due to insufficient evidence.