Parkinson's disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran’s Parkinson's disease was not diagnosed until after his separation from service.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of March 1, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was denied as not incurred in service, presumed due to herbicide exposure, or related to his military duties.

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson’s disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities due to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim for these conditions is being reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his Parkinson’s disease and associated complications.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus, type II based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand from May to August 1972.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and for loss of use of the lower extremities due to his service-connected disabilities, which included Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has ordered remand due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychoneurosis aggravated his Parkinson's Disease, which may affect his claim for cause of death.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease residuals are rated at the maximum available rating of 80 percent, effective from October 17, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicides at U-Tapao RTAB.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson’s Disease and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there is no credible evidence to support his assertions of exposure to herbicide agents during service or a nexus between his conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's TBI and its residuals require regular aid and attendance, but not a higher level of care. The absence of such regular aid and attendance would result in the need for hospitalization or other institutional care.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right renal hematuria, Parkinson’s disease, and a skin condition due to new evidence being submitted after previous denials. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran died during the appeal process, and his claims are dismissed as a result. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal due to the death.

The claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has Parkinson's disease or atypical parkinsonism, and its relationship to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's Bell's Palsy and Parkinson's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his exposure to toxic chemicals during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and the Board is unable to make a determination without an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded all reopened service connection claims for accrued benefits purposes due to the need for additional records and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include cause of death, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD and depressive disorder, bowel condition, and Parkinson’s disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease due to a lack of verification of his claimed Vietnam service. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported TDY service in Vietnam, including by contacting the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) or other appropriate repositories.