Parkinson's disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson's Disease is remanded due to the lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease are granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure during his time stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 50 percent for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated severe, incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism, due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents (Agent Orange), is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, and skin cancer have been granted. The claim for skin cancer is remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability and Parkinson's disease are remanded for further development, including verifying service dates and obtaining a VA medical opinion on the etiology of his heart disabilities. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition did not increase in severity during his period of active duty. The Veteran's disability was determined to be unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic bowel with contributing factors of respiratory and renal failure, is not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's Disease did not contribute to his death.

The Board denied the claim for DIC benefits due to kidney cancer and other disabilities, finding that there was no service connection or exposure to herbicide agents/radiation during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased disability ratings for various Parkinson's Disease manifestations, including speech changes, stooped posture, tremors, and muscle rigidity, is remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the impact of his sleep apnea on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for Parkinson's disease, including potential Gulf War exposure and toxic chemical exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 26, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure while stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating from March 10, 2016. The ratings for Parkinson's disease and its associated conditions are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified stressors. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records, verifying in-service exposure to herbicides, and confirming reported stressors.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act, which includes service in Thailand. The claim was remanded due to a prior denial and is now being reconsidered.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's exposure to toxic agents during service, including herbicide agents and other toxins. The claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to potential errors in previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease and dementia, including as due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete service records and potential exposure verification issues.