Citation Nr: 18161334
Decision Date: 12/31/18	Archive Date: 12/31/18

DOCKET NO. 16-22 002
DATE:	December 31, 2018

ORDER

Service connection for multiple system atrophy (MSA) with Parkinson-like features is granted.

FINDING OF FACT

The evidence shows that the Veteran’s multiple system atrophy (MSA) with Parkinson-like features was etiologically related to herbicide exposure in service.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

The criteria for entitlement to service connection for multiple system atrophy (MSA) with Parkinson-like features have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The Veteran served on active duty from August 1962 to June 1965.  He died in May 2015.  The appellant is the Veteran’s surviving spouse and has been accepted as appellant in substitution of the Veteran.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2012 rating decision.  

Entitlement to service connection for multiple system atrophy (MSA) with Parkinson-like features.

The Veteran initially claimed service connection for Parkinson’s disease, as secondary to herbicide exposure in service.  See 03/12/2012, VA 21-526EZ, Fully Developed Claim (Compensation).  The record shows that Veteran served in Vietnam.  See 03/12/2012, Military Personnel Records; 02/05/2013, STR – Medical, at 30.  Therefore, it is presumed that the Veteran was exposed to an herbicide agent in service.  Parkinson’s disease is one of the listed diseases associated with herbicide exposure.  The Veteran, however, did not have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.  Rather, he had a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA) with Parkinson-like features.  See 06/20/2012, VA examination.  

The Board concludes that the Veteran’s MSA with Parkinson-like features was related to herbicide exposure in service.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).

In October 2018, the Board requested a VA medical expert opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s diagnosed MSA.  In an October 2018 opinion, 

a VA neurologist opined that the Veteran’s history of herbicide exposure may have contributed to his final diagnosis of MSA or Parkinson-like syndrome.  The 

VA neurologist based this conclusion on recent medical research indicating that environmental exposures play a major role in the development of both Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-like syndrome.

Based on this probative opinion, the Board finds the evidence to at least be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s MSA with Parkinson-like features was related to service.  Accordingly, after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for MSA with Parkinson-like features is warranted.  38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102.

 

Paul Sorisio

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	P. López, Associate Counsel