Parkinson's disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease was rated at 30 percent prior to June 26, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not warrant such an increase.,Service connection for prostatitis was denied because it is less likely than not related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Parkinson's Disease, entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) of another person or housebound status, and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 7, 2018 due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and essential tremors have resulted in a regular need of aid and attendance since December 10, 2009. SMC based on aid and attendance is granted effective from that date.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease was granted. Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder and diabetes mellitus type II were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and death pension benefits for his surviving spouse due to lack of evidence linking his conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease due to lack of current diagnoses in the June 2021 rating decision. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding medical records from identified physicians.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, Parkinson's disease, sleep disorder, sinus disability, nocturia, altered gait, right ear growth, left knee strain, gynecomastia, inguinal hernia, priapism, bilateral pulmonary embolism, parotid neoplasms, and hepatitis C have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for LLE and RLE bradykinesia, balance, tremors, muscle rigidity and stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been remanded due to the need to consider whether these disabilities should be evaluated under Diagnostic Code 8520 for impairment of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD post MI, which was granted on May 30, 2016.,He also seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, which he contends should be secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as the evidence shows he served there for at least 30 days during the affected period.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The issue of service connection for dementia secondary to Parkinson's disease is remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by malignant mesothelioma, which the VA examiner found to be at least as likely as not a result of his in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease has been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand and provide an opinion on whether the fasting blood sugar note was an early indicator of diabetes.