Parkinson's disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected balance impairment, erectile dysfunction, constipation and depression have been granted effective September 30, 2019.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for balance impairment is denied.

The Board has decided that the cause of the Veteran's death, Parkinson's disease, is not service-connected. The issues regarding whether his major depressive disorder with anxiety and panic attacks contributed to his death are also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for sleep disorder secondary to Parkinson's disease is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether Parkinson's disease contributed to the Veteran's cause of death. The appeal is currently pending and will be reconsidered after obtaining these opinions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and Parkinson's disease have been granted service connection, with a 100% rating for major depressive disorder as of June 30, 2017. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has also been granted effective from that date. Initial evaluations of 40% each have been assigned for impairment of the right and left lower extremities associated with Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and there is no evidence to support the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's cause of death and ischemic heart disease are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran served at U-Tapao Airfield, where he had close contact with aircraft.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, which rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Effective September 13, 2022, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent without including the PTSD.

The Veteran's spouse is in need of regular aid and attendance due to disabilities including Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and incontinence. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during service, and therefore, his claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; diabetic nephropathy; Parkinsonism; and hypertension are denied as they are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease and its residuals, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year of separation. The Board also found insufficient evidence to link the condition to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, which are currently service-connected. The Veteran asserts that his conditions are related to in-service exposure to trichlorethylene (TCE).

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence secondary to prostate cancer due to a need for further development. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service exposure to toxic substances based on his military deployment and MOS as a munitions systems journeyman.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification of the Veteran's National Guard service. The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease with speech changes has been granted a 30 percent rating, and other service-connected conditions have also been rated. The appeal is denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and dementia resulted in loss of use of both feet, requiring regular aid and attendance. SMC at the (o) rate is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disability, including essential tremors and Parkinson's disease, as there is no evidence of such conditions being related to in-service exposure to tear gas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is granted due to the PACT Act, while claims for ischemic stroke and Parkinson's-like tremor are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease with bladder dysfunction was granted effective from February 8, 2021. The claim is a continuation of the initial claim filed on February 8, 2021.

The Veteran's left knee pain status post-replacement and associated peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted with specific ratings. Parkinson's disease is also granted as due to herbicide exposure, but service connection for IBS and colitis remains pending.