Parkinson's disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran was granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease, which is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The cause of the Veteran's death (Parkinson’s disease) is also considered as a contributory cause.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Camp Casey, which could potentially grant service connection for Parkinson's disease. The case is being sent back for further investigation.

The Veteran is granted service connection for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, with the latter being a newly recognized condition based on new medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart disease), and lung disease due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and verify any claimed asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a neurocognitive disorder, including Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's, is remanded due to the need for an in-person VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service and whether his Parkinson's disease is related to such exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for a sleep disorder associated with Parkinson's disease prior to September 1, 2016 is denied. The claim for an evaluation of 50 percent or higher for the same condition as of September 1, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone renders him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and his statements are credited. The Board grants SMC for aid and attendance from another due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's Parkinson's Disease and his service, specifically exposure to jet fuel. The examiner did not provide a clear opinion on whether the disease is related to service.

Service connection is granted for chest pain and denied for heart condition (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and arrhythmia). The case is REMANDED for additional examinations to address the Veteran's back disability and cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson’s disease was severed due to a misdiagnosis in the original rating decision.,The Veteran's 30% rating for coronary artery disease is restored from September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's diabetes is granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure. His right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The central nervous system disorder, including essential tremor and Parkinson’s like symptoms, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted the claims for service connection for a back disability, Parkinson's disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's Disease as the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his separation from military service, and there is no evidence that he had symptoms or was diagnosed with Parkinson's during service. The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease did not manifest within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ, is granted for accrued benefits purposes. The cause of his death, which included Parkinson's disease, is also granted.

The Veteran's disability evaluations for Parkinson's disease and associated upper and lower extremity impairments have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain retrospective opinions regarding the severity of his Parkinson's disease from its onset to October 23, 2010.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s Disease and bilateral restless leg syndrome are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time at Ubon RTAFB.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has granted TDIU from January 23, 2018.

The Veteran's right lower extremity Parkinson's disease is rated at the highest possible level (60%) and his left lower extremity Parkinson's disease remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial ratings for tremors associated with Parkinson's disease due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.