Parkinson's disease decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the right hand or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is eligible for VA healthcare enrollment under priority category 6 due to exposure to Agent Orange, but remains ineligible under category 8 for other disabilities.

The Board has determined that Parkinson's disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to physical limitations, but not housebound. The claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound is denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and his military service, including as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related psychiatric disorder are service-connected, with the condition being proximately due to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and coronary disease, finding that the conditions were congenital in nature and not aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease was not related to his service, including a head injury sustained in service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for essential tremor, which he contends began in service after a shoulder injury. The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification of the VA examiner's opinion and to provide an appropriate examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his exposure to toxic substances in service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have Parkinson's disease, low sperm count, breathing problems, liver problems, or eye masses due to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as bilateral pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease. The Board found that his service-connected knee disabilities did not contribute substantially to his immobility or development of pneumonia.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to his service-connected back disability and nonservice-connected Parkinson's disease, which together contribute to his impairment. As such, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) was not reopened because no new and material evidence had been submitted, despite the Veteran having provided additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, finding that July 11, 2006 was the earliest effective date provided by law. The Veteran had not filed a claim prior to October 16, 2003, and thus retroactive provisions did not apply.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case regarding the effective date assigned for his 100 percent rating for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The issue of TDIU prior to December 15, 2008, must also be addressed in light of this decision.