Parkinson's disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including back condition, left heel injury, vertigo, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, erectile dysfunction, prostatic hypertrophy, basal cell carcinoma, and Parkinson's (also claimed as essential tremors), have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD is service-connected as secondary to his Parkinson's disease. He received a 40% rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and an increased rating for his right ankle fracture residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder, including Parkinson's disease, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, convulsive tic (tremors), and restless leg syndrome, as due to service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with major depressive disorder. The decision also vacated the portion of the July 2021 Board decision that found the Board did not have jurisdiction to adjudicate service connection for Parkinson's disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in and around the Korean DMZ. The appellant is seeking service connection for Parkinson's Disease, which may be presumed based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, specifically whether it is related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's cervical disability is not found to be secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for Parkinson's disease due to contaminated water exposure at Camp LeJeune and secondary to TBI was also denied.,There is no evidence of the Veteran serving at Camp Lejeune, which would allow for a presumption of service connection based on contaminated water exposure.

The Veteran's headaches are not secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar or foot disabilities and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no current diagnosis of nerve damage, and the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's nerve damage is related to his service-connected disability. The Veteran's symptoms were more accurately attributed to Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's right arm numbness is not secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar or foot disabilities and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The examiner noted there was no medical causation possible for a lumbar spine injury to cause upper extremity symptoms.,The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is not secondary to his service-connected disability, as the evidence does not support a finding that it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 1, 2012 to April 8, 2013.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Korat, Thailand. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and diabetic neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, both of which are presumed related to in-service herbicide agent exposure along the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral essential tremors and neuropathy of both lower extremities. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination, potential new evidence not considered by the AOJ, and the need to determine if 'Parkinsonism' includes essential tremors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's Disease is remanded due to a lack of verification regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The AOJ must attempt to verify this exposure and provide an assessment based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinsonism, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 18, 2013 to January 3, 2017. As the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he can secure such employment, his claim for TDIU in this period is granted.

The Veteran did not file a claim for Parkinson's disease or ischemic heart disease prior to his death, and no retroactive benefits are available under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no credible evidence of herbicide agent exposure in service and concluding that the Veteran's claimed disability is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to support a link between his condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his respiratory disorder, upper extremity disabilities, and Parkinson's disease. The Board will consider the service connection claims on a new examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for Parkinson's disease (now characterized as essential tremor), diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities. The appeal is being returned to the RO for further review of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and private treatment records. The AOJ must schedule a VA aid and attendance examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him in the regular need of aid and attendance.