Parkinson's disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's Parkinsonism is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities due to exposure to contaminated waters during military service. The Veteran was exposed to chemicals and toxins, including pesticides, while diving in the Hudson River.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of Parkinson’s disease and its secondary effects on peripheral neuropathy in both legs due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, which may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder or in-service toxin exposure.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the service connection claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and Parkinson's disease. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and due to a need for a medical opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity bradykinesia and has remanded the issue of a higher rating for Parkinson's disease with dementia.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board needs to verify if the U.S.S. Saint Paul was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam from September 1962 to August 1964.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, stooped posture, right upper extremity tremors, and sleep disturbance/sexual dysfunction have been rated collectively as separate disabilities. The appeals for ratings in excess of the assigned percentages are denied.,The Veteran’s stooped posture associated with Parkinson's disease has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, and thus does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Prior to January 23, 2012, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a comprehensive examination and opinion on all manifestations of Parkinson's disease, including hydrocephalus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service connected. The other claims for Parkinson’s disease, tremors of the head and hands, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease due to insufficient development regarding his claimed exposures at Fort Dix.