Parkinson's disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM), Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer due to alleged exposure to pesticides and insecticides during active service. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's back condition, Parkinson’s disease, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), and eye condition are all granted service connection. However, the VA has not provided sufficient evidence to determine if his neck and knee conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for clarification of the Veteran's current neurological condition(s). The issues are whether the Veteran has a neurologic disorder, including Parkinson’s disease, Parkinsonism, ataxia, mild degenerative cerebellar disease, peripheral neuropathy, or any other found neurologic disability. Clarification is needed based on the Veteran's medical history and presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's Parkinsonism is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to ensure VA's duty to assist was satisfied. The Veteran is not diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but the examiner must provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not attributable to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of Parkinson’s disease and its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy in both legs due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to exposure to contaminated waters during military service. The Veteran was exposed to toxins while diving in the Hudson River and at Caven Point, New Jersey.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, which may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder or in-service toxin exposure.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and due to a need for a medical opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. Parkinson's disease is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board needs to verify if the U.S.S. Saint Paul was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam from September 1962 to August 1964.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, stooped posture, right upper extremity tremors, and sleep disturbance/sexual dysfunction have been rated collectively as separate disabilities. The appeals for ratings in excess of the assigned ratings are denied.,The Veteran’s stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity bradykinesia and has remanded the issue of a higher rating for Parkinson's disease with dementia.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service connected. The other claims for Parkinson’s disease, tremors of the head and hands, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Prior to January 23, 2012, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease due to insufficient development regarding his claimed exposures at Fort Dix.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a comprehensive examination and opinion on all manifestations of Parkinson's disease, including hydrocephalus.