Parkinson's disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including an unspecified respiratory condition, Hepatitis C, Parkinson’s disease, aural fullness, chronic fatigue syndrome, residuals of gall bladder removal, and an unspecified mental condition. The decision also denied reopening of claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor due to herbicide exposure, as the current examination did not provide sufficient detail or rationale. The Veteran must be asked to provide additional records and authorize their recovery.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Parkinson's disease residuals based on herbicide exposure, finding that the earliest documented diagnosis was in May 2013 and thus the appropriate effective date is May 3, 2013.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related symptoms are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were caused by his right ankle surgery and subsequent treatment, including any medication prescribed.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease-related conditions, including right upper extremity weakness and tremors, left upper extremity weakness and tremors, right lower extremity weakness/muscle rigidity, left lower extremity weakness/muscle rigidity, constipation, difficulty chewing/dysphagia, urinary incontinence, moderate speech changes, severe sexual dysfunction with erectile dysfunction, and loss of sense of smell, were not rated higher than the assigned initial ratings. The Veteran's service connection for these conditions was based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing treatment records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's death is due to multiple conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease. The Board finds it unclear if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete development and procedural issues. Specifically, new evidence must be obtained regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether he has a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service. The claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease, TDIU, and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence showing that a service-connected disability was either the principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and Parkinson's disease ratings due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss disorder, heart disorder, sleep disorder, residuals from a traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant withdrew her appeal in a March 2015 written statement.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and multiple cardiovascular conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded the issue of increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disability. The case is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether any overlapping symptoms are attributable to Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is not due to his service-connected PTSD, but rather to his non-service connected conditions including Parkinson's disease, strokes, and dementia/cognitive impairment. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that PTSD alone renders him in need of such assistance.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.