Parkinson's disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and basal cell carcinoma, as well as the claim for SMC based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound. The cause of death claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for Parkinson’s disease, including potential exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. Additional development, including reviewing deck logs and inquiries with the JSRRC, is required.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is presumed to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,Service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease prior to March 11, 2017 was rated at 30 percent and the Board found that separate ratings for his ascertainable residuals were not warranted as they were contemplated by a single 30 percent rating.