Parkinson's disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as glaucoma (eye disability), paronychia/onychia, sleep apnea, colon polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for neurological disability of the lower extremities other than Parkinson's disease and rating claims. Effective dates are also being remanded.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and posttraumatic stress disorder prevent him from caring for himself, requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease claim is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and the need to obtain SSA disability records.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his Parkinson's disease, stroke, and coronary artery disease to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for Parkinson's disease with bradykinesia, tremor, and muscle rigidity of the right upper extremity prior to December 21, 2016. The appeal is denied for a higher rating since that date.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart condition, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, Parkinson's disease (essential tremors), and skin cancer. The evidence is insufficient to establish exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos during active service, thus preventing service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a sleep disorder due to unresolved issues with his Parkinson's disease, essential tremors, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The matter is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease. The claims for these conditions were remanded due to insufficient evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and his Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is granted as service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to Agent Orange exposure, given the Veteran's presumed exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD have been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the presence of a current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, and concluded that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by hepatitis, which is a service-connected condition. Therefore, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including back condition, sinus condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's Disease due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Thailand, finding that his duties placed him near the perimeter of Udorn Air Force Base and he was exposed to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted service connection, but the claim for bilateral upper extremity tremors and numbness (secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease) is remanded.