The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease, memory loss as secondary to service-connected Parkinson’s disease, and dropped head syndrome as secondary to service-connected Parkinson’s disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to manganese in service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established due to the Veteran's exposure to manganese during his service as a fire watchman, which is associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and its related symptoms such as memory loss and dropped head syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Parkinson’s disease, memory loss, dropped head syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19169624
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19169624.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2023. The appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for memory loss and found that the issue of TDIU from September 6, 2022 is moot.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate gland injuries, sleep apnea, DM, and hypertension, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service. The application to readjudicate previously denied claims for memory loss, teeth removal, and eye defects was also denied.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal requests were not timely filed, and good cause was not shown to accept the late filings.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.