Parkinson's disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the initial decision, specifically regarding his need for personal care services and supervision.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for Parkinson's disease and associated lower extremity symptoms have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for loss of left and right automatic movements, as well as left and right lower extremity tremor, muscle rigidity/stiffness, and bradykinesia associated with Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have resulted in a severe degree of functional impairment such that he meets the criteria for loss of use of his feet. As a result, he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates as they were untimely filed more than one year after the July 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer are granted service connection as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including a finding that he participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) under the PACT Act. The Board will obtain an appropriate VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinsonism due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, and thus, the presumption of service connection based on Agent Orange exposure does not apply.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to January 29, 2020, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for Parkinson's disease related neurocognitive disorder. The decision found that the claim was not new and material evidence received within one year of the January 2019 rating decision denying service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Parkinson's disease with tremors in the left upper extremity is granted, and the effective date is set to August 18, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, which he contends is due to exposure to chemicals during his military service as a firefighter, has been remanded. The VA will provide a TERA-compliant medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was dismissed because his combined disability rating is at least as high as the required schedular rating of 100% due to his service-connected Parkinson's Disease and its manifestations. The effective date cannot be earlier than April 7, 2021, when he filed the new claim.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of aluminum chloride hexahydrate 20% topical solution (Drysol) was granted as it is related to his service-connected Parkinson's Disease and causes irreparable damage to his outergarments.

The Veteran's parkinsonism syndrome is related to his exposure to trichloroethylene during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant, identified outstanding treatment records that have not been obtained as part of VA's duty to assist. The Veteran should be asked to provide any private medical records and VA will obtain them.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was not properly adjudicated in the January 2021 rating decision, and the Board is remanding to address this issue due to CUE.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated major neurocognitive disorder is now rated at 100 percent effective October 4, 2023. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been dismissed as the PTSD rating effectively moots this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease with urinary problems and related conditions, have rendered him unable to ambulate without the aid of assistive devices. As a result, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for heart condition, specifically Wolff Parkinson's White Syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if his current heart condition is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tonsil infection, bowel strike, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and dementia), and Parkinson's Disease. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that he did not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 12, 2014.