Parkinson's disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine disorder was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent. The Board found that the evidence supported reopening and granting service connection for nerve damage, right arm numbness, reduced leg strength, and headaches as part of new and material evidence.

The Veteran met the minimum criteria for schedular TDIU prior to November 1, 2012 and was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that evidence for and against the claim is at least in approximate balance.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 19, 2002 for the service connection awards for Parkinson's disease, right upper extremity tremors, muscle rigidity and stiffness, and loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran died from sepsis due to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's dementia. The Board finds that the cause of death (Parkinson's dementia) at least contributed to his death, but there is no evidence of service connection for Parkinson's disease or any other condition causing his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, which was not service-connected during his lifetime due to lack of evidence on the list of presumptive diseases at that time, may have contributed to his death from a motor vehicle accident. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Parkinson's disease affected his ability to react quickly enough to avoid the accident.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% before June 27, 2012. The initial ratings for Parkinson's disease in the upper and lower extremities and facial muscles were denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and Parkinson's disease due to exposure of Agent Orange. Both conditions are presumed to have been incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to in-service herbicide exposure and granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of exposure documentation and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed radiation exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive symptoms is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities, especially PTSD with depressive symptoms and Parkinson's disease with its associated manifestations, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The issue of Parkinson's disease is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonia, dysphagia profound, Parkinson's Disease and dementia. The Board finds that his service-connected migraine headaches did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for a full discussion of evidence, including lay and medical evidence. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU due to his service-connected disability prior to December 15, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's death was caused by VA negligence during a 2005 surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is not related to his military service, as there was no exposure to Agent Orange or other hazardous substances during his time at Fort McClellan. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for cognitive impairment is granted as it is proximately due to his Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Parkinson's disease, claiming it is due to exposure to herbicides during his time in Thailand. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself and in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was caused by his in-service head injury, and whether service connection should be granted for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a disability claimed as Parkinson's disease, and alleged to be due to herbicide exposure. The case is REMANDED to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.