Parkinson's disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran was denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ASHD, ED, OSA, and MDD. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease was also remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of Parkinson's disease will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability, tremors as secondary to a service-connected disability, muscle tension headaches as secondary to a service-connected disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type), and depression have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease, and the cause of death due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand and Vietnam. The Veteran served at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base where he claimed his duties placed him near the perimeter.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism, gastric infection, and adrenal insufficiency and hormonal imbalance.,Service connection is also granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a depressive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sarcoidosis and/or lung disorders, and essential tremors (claimed as Parkinson's Disease).

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease is granted service connection due to presumed exposure in Vietnam. The pulmonary disorder is remanded for further evaluation as to its relationship to the service-connected Parkinson’s disease.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected PTSD and Parkinson’s disease did not contribute substantially or materially to his death by stroke. The Board also found no evidence linking herbicide exposure to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection for Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, kidney stones, and liver condition. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to Parkinson's disease) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, including difficulty swallowing due to Parkinson’s disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's WPW was rated as 30 percent disabling from September 16, 2014 forward. The rating is based on more than four episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia per year documented by an ECG or Holter monitor.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and Lewy Body dementia due to a lightning strike is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to presumed Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.