Parkinson's disease decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, which was the principal cause of death, is related to service and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Oak Hill Hospital on March 5, 2015 are covered by VA as the treatment was for a service-connected condition and the VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, both presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for a VA examination regarding service connection for Parkinson's disease, including consideration of radiation exposure.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease with tremors, bradykinesia or slowed motion and muscle rigidity of the right (major) upper extremity is granted effective April 29, 2016.,The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease with bradykinesia or slowed motion with tremors, muscle rigidity and stiffness of the left upper (minor) extremity is granted effective April 29, 2016.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions related to Parkinson's disease, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's Disease due to herbicide exposure is granted, with the presumption of exposure based on his service near the DMZ in Korea.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, claimed as Parkinson’s disease, has been granted. An effective date of June 4, 2013, but no earlier, is assigned for the award of service connection for major depression. The appeal regarding tension headaches and TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa and no in-service event, injury, or disease related to the condition. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's current Parkinson's disease and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various manifestations of Parkinson's disease, including right and left upper extremity bradykinesia and tremor, lower extremity bradykinesia and tremor, difficulty swallowing, speech impairment, sexual dysfunction, and loss of balance, have been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for essential tremors/Parkinson's Disease and increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII).,Service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during her time at Fort McClellan and that there was significant affirmative evidence contrary to a finding that her Parkinson's disease was caused by such exposure. The Board also found no direct service connection due to insufficient evidence of TCE exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disability, which includes muscle weakness, tremors, spasms and Parkinsonian symptoms with reduced sensation, was granted a 20 percent rating effective November 13, 2006.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were insufficient for adjudication purposes and another remand is required to obtain a medical opinion addressing the Veteran's assertions of his continuous Bell's Palsy symptomology in light of his 1991 service treatment record (STR), and any relationship of these symptoms to his diagnosed Parkinson’s disease.

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with senile cataracts and refractive error as the evidence does not support a nexus to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, meningitis to include as secondary to sinusitis, and encephalopathy to include as secondary to sinusitis. The remaining claims of service connection are remanded due to the possibility that they may be related to the Veteran's service-connected meningitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to asbestos exposure or other chemical exposure during his Navy service in 1968 and 1969. The AOJ should also consider whether the Veteran's Parkinson's disease may be associated with radiation exposure, but no further development for this issue is required.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and associated symptoms have resulted in a regular need of aid and attendance since February 28, 2016. Effective from that date, the Board granted SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's service-connected Huntington’s disease, including atypical chorea and ataxia, is granted. Diabetes mellitus receives a 20% rating since February 9, 2011. Parkinson's disease is not service connected. The Veteran also receives TDIU.