Parkinson's disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has increased in severity, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current level of impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his essential tremors and Parkinson's disease, as well as the onset of his cognitive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base during active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, for accrued purposes, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability other than stooped posture/abnormal spine contour associated with Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes; and for a sinus disability, for accrued purposes are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes is also remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability other than stooped posture/abnormal spine contour associated with Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes; and for a sinus disability, for accrued purposes are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes is also remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability other than stooped posture/abnormal spine contour associated with Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes; and for a sinus disability, for accrued purposes are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents at Don Muangong Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and GERD are remanded for further examination and medical opinions. The back disability, neck disability, and sciatica are also remanded due to a failure to obtain examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease is related to his exposure to pesticides in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's atypical odontalgia and his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease with balance impairment, right and left upper extremity rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia associated with Parkinson's disease, right and left lower extremity rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia associated with Parkinson's disease, unspecified depressive disorder with major neurocognitive disorder associated with Parkinson's disease, speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease, right side stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease, left side stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease, partial loss of smell associated with Parkinson's disease, difficulty of chewing of right and left sides associated with Parkinson's disease, and constipation associated with Parkinson's disease have all been granted. The effective dates for these awards are March 26, 2012.,SMC based on the need of regular aid and attendance has also been granted.

The Veteran's loss of balance associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and muscle rigidity in the right upper extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Residuals of Parkinson's disease manifested as tremor and bradykinesia in the left lower extremity are rated at 20 percent.,Stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 20 percent.,Constipation associated with Parkinson's disease is rated at 10 percent.,Depression associated with Parkinson's disease prior to February 13, 2018 is rated at 50 percent.

Service connection for Parkinsonism and PSP has been granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of Parkinsonism, PSP, and peripheral neuropathy are supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his time at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding it presumptively related to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand during the Vietnam era.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted. He does not meet the criteria for housebound status.