Parkinson's disease decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for Parkinson's disease based on a direct basis and therefore denies this claim. The previously granted presumptive service connection is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 2020 and June 6, 2023 were denied.,Effective from June 6, 2023, the Veteran was granted service connection for several conditions including right lower extremity tremors, left lower extremity tremors, right speech changes, left speech changes, erectile dysfunction, and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for Parkinson's disease, and it is unclear if the Veteran served in coastal waters of Vietnam or Cambodia where herbicide exposure could be presumed. The claim will now be reviewed with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to herbicides and asbestos during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip during the appeal period. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes mellitus on a basis other than the PACT Act due to herbicide agent exposure during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder with anxious distress render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease due to exposure at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during active duty. The claim for secondary service connection for schizoaffective disorder is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, urinary incontinence, a bladder condition (neurogenic bladder), kidney disease, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, encephalopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to the AOJ for further adjudication on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's Disease and Bladder cancer are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of herbicide exposure, thus precluding application of presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been raised and is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran is presumed exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, but his current diagnosis of Parkinsonism disease is unclear. Further development is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease or if his symptoms are related to exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant, who is now deceased, had no pending claims affected by the 2021 amendments to 38 U.S.C. 1116 regarding presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining and reviewing service records, as well as potential exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for Parkinson's disease will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various conditions associated with Parkinson's disease were denied, including dysphagia, LLE and RLE bradykinesia, LUE and RUE bradykinesia and tremors, constipation, loss of automatic movements (left and right), speech changes (left and right), balance impairment, and stooped posture. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their severity as determined by the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to need for supervision, protection, or instruction. The appeal is remanded to determine eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical evidence on the issue of service connection for Parkinson's disease, specifically regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service in Guam. The Veteran had a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease before his death and served in Guam, but the effective date of the PACT Act (which provides presumptive exposure) is after his death.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and related bilateral upper and lower extremity disabilities have been found to result in the functional loss of use of both hands and feet, warranting a 100% rating under DCs 5109 and 5110. Additionally, he is entitled to SMC at rates based on anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands and feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson's Disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, and a liver condition due to potential exposure to toxins during service. The VA will conduct further development including verifying in-service toxin exposures and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and hypertension have been granted service connection.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the claims for both conditions.