Parkinson's disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, is considered a congenital defect and not a disability for which service connection may be granted. The preponderance of the evidence weighs against a finding that the Veteran has a current disability (claimed as irregular heartbeat) that resulted from a disease or injury superimposed on this congenital defect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or its waters, and thus does not qualify for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for CLL and Parkinson's disease are denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 40 percent since August 3, 2011. The left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent from March 3, 2015 onwards. The right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent since August 3, 2011. The left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy with tremors and muscle rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his TBI residuals, have manifested in loss of use of both feet. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether he meets the criteria for an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury are related to his military service. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease is attributable to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor (claimed as Parkinson's-like symptoms) due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with either condition during service, and there is no credible evidence showing that they are related to his exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than May 19, 2015 for service connection of Parkinson's disease with balance and stride impairment.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The skin rash claim cannot be resolved as the evidence does not establish a relationship with service.,PTSD, anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury are currently manifested by occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease is attributable to service and grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that he has met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further consideration of his claim, including any higher ratings for service-connected stooped posture, right upper extremity tremor, right lower extremity tremor, mild sleep disturbance, and mild sexual dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and benign essential tremors of the right and left upper extremities due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The appellant was found to have served in Vietnam during his TDY assignment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his complete service personnel file, verify any heavy metal exposure during service, and provide an opinion on the likelihood of current disabilities being related to in-service duties.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities, including Parkinson's disease, tremors, heart damage, dementia, lung damage, and kidney damage, were not caused by VA's negligence or lack of proper skill in providing surgical care. The anastomotic leak was a foreseeable complication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records related to Parkinson's disease and any SSA records. An addendum opinion from the October 2016 VA examiner will be obtained regarding the etiology of his alcohol and cocaine abuse disorders. A VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted to consider the severity of all service-connected psychiatric disabilities in determining whether they impact substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his Parkinson's disease. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders and sleep disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which resolved in favor of granting SMC based on aid and attendance prior to his death.