Parkinson's disease decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that more information is needed regarding whether the Veteran's dementia, claimed as Lewy body dementia, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer. The decision also mentions a need for further consideration of the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

Service connection granted for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; bladder cancer; Parkinson's disease; hypothyroidism. Service connection denied for colonic diverticula disorder, lymphedema, and tubulovillous adenoma.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for Parkinson's Disease with balance impairment, tremor and bradykinesia of the left upper extremity, tremor and bradykinesia of the right upper extremity, loss of automatic facial movements, and partial loss of sense of smell was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran died of Parkinson's disease, which the Board found not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's neurological disorder, PTSD, and tinnitus have been granted service connection due to the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam for Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism. Service connection is also granted for PTSD based on combat stressors and tinnitus due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, TEC, PERC, and other contaminants, is being remanded. The VA will attempt to obtain missing personnel records and verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to these substances during his military service at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected, and the case is remanded for further development related to his acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange during his active duty in Thailand and noting that there is no direct evidence linking Parkinson's disease to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson's disease, bradykinesia, constipation, depression, neurogenic bladder, and dysphagia due to potential service connection based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran was exposed as a field artillery officer in Germany.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral upper and lower extremity disabilities related to Parkinson's disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for any of these conditions.,A TDIU has been granted, but no specific rating was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to a non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is remanding the case for further evaluation of whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to or caused his death, including considering the effects of his diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding manifestations of Parkinson's disease and whether hydrocephalus is a manifestation or responsible for any distinct symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher disability rating for Parkinson's Disease has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Ramasun Station in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and its complications, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and Parkinson's disease due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service exposure, but a VA examination is needed to determine if he has residuals from his military service that are related to his current symptoms.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not found to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was listed as Parkinsonism, is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. As such, the requirement for a medical nexus and a compensable rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(ii) are met.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant is granted due to his permanent and total disability rating from Parkinson's disease. The claim for automobile or other conveyance benefits is also granted as the service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of both lower extremities.