Parkinson's disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disability, Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder related to his in-service experiences in Vietnam. Service connection is also granted for Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease and diabetic neuropathy necessitate the use of knee braces, which damage his clothing. The Board grants a clothing allowance for these knee braces in calendar year 2020.

The appeal for service connection for Parkinson's disease was dismissed as the claim has been fully granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, a prostate condition, and heart bypasses are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and a cardiac disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is not presumed to have developed these conditions during service, but VA must verify any potential asbestos exposure and conduct another examination to determine the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and related symptoms are being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records from a private neurologist.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC were not met.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, as the Veteran had no more than four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for Parkinson's disease and secondary complications, as the earliest effective date legally assignable is January 10, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's widow is now the substitute claimant, and another remand is necessary as there was not substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Parkinson's disease to allow for initial review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) of evidence added to the file since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's left upper extremity disability, due to a gunshot wound, is not shown to have resulted in complete paralysis during the appeal period.,The Veteran's right upper extremity disability, due to Parkinson's disease, did not meet criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tremors of the left and right upper extremities associated with Parkinsonism are granted. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a tremor disorder and dry mouth, as well as an increased rating for right ankle disability. The Veteran's claims are pending before the RO.,No effective date is assigned in this decision.