Parkinson's disease decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for CAD and Parkinson's disease, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran served within the 12-mile limit of Vietnam, qualifying for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for sexual dysfunction is denied, but his service-connected Parkinson's disease with loss of use of lower extremities is granted at a 50% rating. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and related benefits are March 9, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, finding that the appellant was exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam. The claim is based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is as likely as not related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease due to this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and Parkinson's disease. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Parkinson's disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at RTAFB U-Tapao in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee condition and TDIU. The right knee claim is pending, while the TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected Parkinson's disease and a prior effective date. The Board has determined that the current rating of 30 percent is appropriate, but has also ordered a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms. The Veteran was denied a prior effective date due to lack of evidence of unadjudicated formal or informal requests for reopening his service connection claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The evidence, including a private medical opinion, supports this finding.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Parkinson's disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in the Korean DMZ during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic herbicides and the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, and his service personnel records will be reviewed to confirm his presence in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran must receive a Statement of the Case (SOC) and have an opportunity to file a substantive appeal if they wish to proceed with this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shingles or other skin disorder was granted. The claims for Parkinson’s disease, actinic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam may be relevant to his claims for heart disease and Parkinson’s Disease, as it could affect whether he was exposed to herbicides. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and basal cell carcinoma, as well as the claim for SMC based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound. The cause of death claim is also remanded.