Parkinson's disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial ratings for speech changes, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and constipation due to Parkinson's Disease have been granted. The ratings are subject to the regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and a higher rating for his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his time at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. The cause of death, which included Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 30 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of April 9, 2019. The depression rating remains unchanged as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. However, the TDIU was granted earlier than previously considered.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease as the evidence did not establish in-service herbicide exposure and there was no other link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for atypical Parkinsonism with progressive supranuclear palsy, finding it presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure is granted based on the presumption that he was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and his diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Diabetes mellitus and Parkinson’s disease are remanded as the exposure basis has not been adequately developed.,Sleep apnea is remanded as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, which also needs to be resolved first.,Parotid gland adenoma is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding radiation exposure.,Service connection for parotid gland adenoma will need further development under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, heart condition (including ischemic heart disease and WPW syndrome), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and neck condition.,The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for evidence of a heart or neck condition. There was no objective medical evidence of peripheral neuropathy within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, sleep apnea, and a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the claim for anemia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and chemicals during service, as well as a need for an opinion on whether his Parkinson’s disease is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cervical myositis and denied it on the merits. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and Wolff Parkinson White disease are remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 10, 2014 for the establishment of service connection for Parkinson's disease based on evidence showing that the Veteran had symptoms related to this condition prior to his application for benefits.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and to readjudicate all claims including this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and therefore meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease with shaking hands, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left knee disability, Parkinson's disease, and PTSD due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the initial increased rating issues.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of TBI, Parkinson's disease as secondary to TBI, tremors of the left hand and right hand as secondary to Parkinson's disease, and blurred vision as secondary to Parkinson's disease.