Parkinson's disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's Disease due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The remand is based on incomplete JSRRC search and a need to verify the Veteran's exposure during his time in South Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at the DMZ in Korea and that this exposure presumptively caused his condition.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving near the air base perimeters of RTAFB Udorn during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinsonism with depression, cognitive impairment/dementia, and Bradykinesia, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease from September 6, 2011 to October 3, 2011 has been found to have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his service connection claim for Parkinson's disease. The examiner was not able to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's condition is related to service, including any potential chemical/toxin exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to toxins during his military service is causative of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his essential tremors and Parkinson's disease, as well as the onset of his cognitive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has increased in severity, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, for accrued purposes, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability other than stooped posture/abnormal spine contour associated with Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness and for a sinus disability, both for accrued purposes, are remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports and lack of consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes, is remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports and lack of consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and GERD as they are related to service. The RO must obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents at Don Muangong RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease with balance impairment, right and left upper extremity rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia associated with Parkinson's disease, speech changes, stooped posture, partial loss of smell, difficulty of chewing, constipation, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified depressive disorder with major neurocognitive disorder associated with Parkinson's disease and right side loss of automatic movements associated with Parkinson's disease have not met the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his exposure to pesticides in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's atypical odontalgia and his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

Service connection for Parkinsonism and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy has been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for Peripheral Neuropathy of the left upper extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for Parkinsonism and PSP have been granted based on presumptive service connection for their respective conditions.

The Veteran's loss of balance associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and muscle rigidity in the right upper extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and bradykinesia in the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent.,Constipation associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 10 percent.,Depression associated with Parkinson's disease prior to February 13, 2018 is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that his exposure to herbicides at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War Era is presumed and he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.