Parkinson's disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's MSA, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, liver cirrhosis, and Parkinson’s disease due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances in service. The case is sent back for further investigation and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's death is caused by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a disease with Parkinson-like symptoms that was related to his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and remanded the issue of service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of clarity in Dr. Smernoff's opinion regarding his August 2018 letter, which is based on studies not submitted with the letter.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for Parkinson’s disease and right shoulder, left shoulder, left wrist, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to lead, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's Parkinsonism-like disorder is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if it is due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection of Parkinson's disease, finding that no formal or informal claim was submitted prior to July 24, 2002.

The Veteran's cognitive impairment with dementia is related to his service-connected Parkinson's disease and has been granted as secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome as there is no current disability.

Effective dates of February 23, 2016 for service connection granted for Parkinson’s disease with stooped posture and related disabilities.,Effective dates of February 23, 2016 for service connection granted for major neurocognitive disorder and related disabilities.

The Veteran died of acute respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia. The cause is being remanded for a determination on whether the Veteran had Parkinson's disease at the time of his death and if it contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and kidney cancer have been granted service connection. The Board also remanded for further examination to determine the extent of his residual disabilities, including those related to his now service-connected conditions.

Service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected Parkinson's disease is granted. TDIU (on an extraschedular basis) is also granted. The Veteran’s increased disability ratings for Parkinson's disease are remanded.

The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Parkinson’s disease, including verifying in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that the Veteran was not in need of regular aid and assistance prior to October 22, 2013. The remaining claims are remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cortical basal syndrome with Parkinson’s plus is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the file and a need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no direct or presumptive link to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.