Parkinson's disease decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for Parkinson's disease. The examiner is required to consider all applicable deployments and the combined effect of all toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to the chemical TCE.

The Veteran's Parkinsonism is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure in service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal requesting an earlier effective date for his increased disability rating of 100 percent for Parkinson's disease was withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's Disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a lumbar spine disability on an accrued basis due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has vacated the June 8, 2023 decision that remanded the issue of service connection for Parkinson's disease and dismissed it under the modernized review system due to a procedural error in opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Veteran is entitled to SMC benefits due to his service-connected Parkinson's disease and related conditions, including the need for regular aid and attendance. He does not require personal healthcare services provided on a daily basis in his home.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, finding that the criteria have been met under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, specifically regarding the presumptive service connection for Parkinsonism based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's essential tremors are currently diagnosed but whether it qualifies as Parkinsonism is unclear.

The Board granted the minimum evaluation of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease with constipation, stooped posture, and difficulty chewing and swallowing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease was denied in a March 2016 rating decision, and the appeal is dismissed because no Notice of Disagreement or new and material evidence was submitted within one year.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease with balance impairment is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8004-6204, and a higher rating is not granted.,Separate ratings are granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary problems, difficulty chewing, swallowing, and drooling, left sided speech changes, and right sided speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure, but the RO could not confirm his service in Vietnam or any exposure to herbicides. The Board finds a pre-decisional error and remands for further investigation.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for Parkinson's disease symptoms not compensable under other diagnostic codes, and granted effective dates of September 15, 2006, for the ratings of 40 percent for left lower extremity shuffling gait, tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia, 30 percent for right upper extremity tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia, and 20 percent for left and right side loss of automatic movements (masked facies).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease due to a duty to assist error regarding herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran contends he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Okinawa and Vietnam, but there is no evidence of such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions associated with Parkinson's disease, including motor manifestations and neurological symptoms.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral neuropathy in all extremities, and Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for colon cancer and dementia is remanded, indicating further review is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failing to obtain medical opinions and examinations prior to issuing the December 2023 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional development and an addendum VA medical opinion.