Parkinson's disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected WPW syndrome may have worsened since his last examination, and a remand is needed to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to the receipt of new evidence. The issues include ratings for various Parkinson's disease symptoms and urinary problems.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease was granted due to the timely submission of a VA Form 9 on August 28, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 21, 2020, as it is now properly being adjudicated under the provisions of the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, tremor disorder, and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD, MDD, and GAD due to their secondary nature to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure, but granted service connection for GERD secondary to a pre-existing hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's-like disorder as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are similar to Parkinsonism and likely related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and depression due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran was struck by a model airplane/drone in his mid-back during service.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of whether the Veteran's Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome is a congenital defect or disease, and for substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. A new examination is required to provide a clear and definitive opinion on whether service connection can be established.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating increases was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease, now claimed as hand tremors, is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service at Eglin AFB. The Board found reasonable evidence that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and thus established a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and emphysema/COPD are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, including whether they were caused by herbicide agent exposure or if the Parkinson's disease affected vital organs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development. The issues include psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and its complications, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the November 2018 remand directives and finds a remand is necessary to ensure due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim so that he is afforded every possible consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this requirement. Additionally, he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran served in the territorial sea of Vietnam, and also requested private treatment records for Parkinson's disease.