Parkinson's disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Parkinson's disease, and orthopedic conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria, including due to non-service-connected Parkinson's Disease.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to service connection for Parkinson’s disease, an increased rating for tinnitus, and total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease, as they are presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents in service. The deck logs need to be reviewed to determine if the USS Mauna Loa transited within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of exposure to herbicides during service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying these exposures and determining if they are related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and missing records, as well as the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is related to service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of his Parkinson’s disease, as the current ratings are already at their maximum.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinsonism, headaches, and anxiety and coping difficulties with mild mood disorder due to his headaches. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to incomplete development. The Veteran's alleged Vietnam service and herbicide agent exposure need to be verified, and additional VA treatment records and service personnel records should be obtained.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease with residual depression, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction, constipation, incontinence, tremor, muscle rigidity and stiffness of the bilateral upper extremities, tremor, muscle rigidity and stiffness, and bradykinesia of the bilateral lower extremities, stooped posture, balance impairment, loss of automatic facial movements, speech changes, and difficulty swallowing and chewing is rated at 100 percent effective March 17, 2017. An effective date of July 6, 2012, for the grant of service connection for loss of use of both feet is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson's disease, linked to herbicide exposure while serving on the USS Tripoli, is remanded due to uncertainty about whether the ship was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his service.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, Type II, heart disorder, Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer. Service connection remains denied for the other conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson’s disease and PTSD was denied. The TDIU claim was dismissed as moot due to the Veteran already receiving a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease is reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable probability of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to exposure to herbicides during active service, specifically the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than October 5, 2007 for service connection of Parkinson's disease and its complications, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, higher initial rating for Parkinson's disease to include its complications, service connection for dental trauma, and TDIU.

The Veteran died from Parkinson's disease and respiratory failure. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any disability manifested by neurobehavioral effects, including Parkinson's disease. The Veteran is presumed exposed to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune during his service.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to herbicide exposure during active duty.