Parkinson's disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for essential tremors (also claimed as Parkinson-like symptoms and Parkinson's disease) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; vision disability (diabetic retinopathy); Parkinson's disease; and hypothyroidism have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the appellant. The case is remanded for further adjudication.

The appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left upper extremities is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for tremors (including Parkinson's disease) is remanded.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, bladder cancer, and scars have been granted with effective dates of June 29, 2023. A separate rating of at least 10 percent is granted for a painful scar from this date. From June 29, 2023, the Veteran is also granted a 100 percent rating for loss of use of both feet associated with Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's loss of sense of smell is rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The earlier effective date claims for anosmia (loss of smell) and bilateral automatic movements have been denied because there was no diagnosis prior to March 6, 2023.,The Veteran's sleep disturbances are rated as 10 percent disabling. A remand is necessary to provide an adequate VA examination based on the criteria under which it is rated.,The Veteran's Parkinson's disease with balance impairment, bradykinesia, bilateral lower extremities (left and right) requires a rating in excess of 40 percent.,The Veteran's left upper extremity bradykinesia requires a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's speech impairments require ratings in excess of 10 percent for both sides.,The Veteran's stooped posture requires ratings in excess of 10 percent for both sides.,The Veteran's loss of automatic movements, left and right, requires compensable ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during military service is causally related to his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cognitive impairment due to Parkinson's disease was granted, and the appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in November 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to Parkinson's disease with dementia, which is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during active duty. The decision is effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute chronic hypoxic hypercapnic respiratory failure with pneumonia and COPD, is found to be service-connected due to his pre-existing COPD diagnosed during active service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to Parkinson's disease and is also granted special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, qualifies him for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective January 30, 2023. Prior to that date, he was found in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease with related disabilities. He is also granted SMC based on housebound status as he is substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.

The appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's Disease, and bilateral neuropathy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

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

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to Parkinson's disease, finding no evidence of TERA exposure and insufficient evidence linking herbicide agent exposure to the Veteran's Chanute Air Base service. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not participate in a TERA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and therefore his Parkinson's disease is presumed related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease based on exposure to herbicide agents is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease and related conditions has been granted with an effective date of May 31, 2021. The exposure to herbicide agents at Ubon RTAFB during the Vietnam era is presumed based on his duties as an aircraft maintenance specialist.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's scars from coronary artery bypass graft surgery are being remanded for further examination and rating.