Parkinson's disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his Parkinson’s disease-related disabilities, but the current evidence does not support these requests.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, Parkinson’s-like motor symptoms, DMII, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease due to Agent Orange exposure, requiring further development including verification of exposure and a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his active duty and that this exposure is presumed. The condition is deemed associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses of Parkinson's disease and the need for clarification. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which could be service-connected as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base, and therefore grants service connection for Parkinson’s disease as a result of such exposure.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran was not found to have any other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of current medical records and exposure verification. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about his in-service injury or event that may have caused his psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is caused by exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for uncontrolled tremors and Parkinson's Disease, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his in-service chemical spill exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and the relationship between his Parkinson's disease and service. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his military service and his condition. The need for aid and attendance is attributed to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for Parkinson's disease and TDIU prior to October 30, 2014 are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease, entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and entitlement to TDIU prior to March 7, 2018. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or accrued benefits. The Veteran also did not have wartime service to qualify for nonservice-connected death pension.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development and to obtain adequate medical opinions addressing the appellant's assertions of direct and secondary causation.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to SMC at the maximum rate authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and an increased level of SMC based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2).