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Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Tuesday & Wednesday at 7AM Central.
Take control of your medical evidence related to your benefits and visit https://podcast.prestigeveteranmctx.info/veteran/ for more information and to connect directly with us!
Hey guys, it's Leah Bee from Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting. I am a US Army veteran physician assistant and former compensation and pension examiner. So So today I'm gonna come on and discuss a really important topic. And if you're a veteran living with Parkinson's disease or know someone who has this video is definitely for you. So did you guys know that Parkinson's disease is now a presumptive condition for many veterans exposed to things like Agent Orange and other environmental toxins.
Leah Bucholz:So today we're gonna break that down. What is Parkinson's? How the VA views it? How you can connect it to service and what benefits may be available? So welcome again.
Leah Bucholz:Our channel typically goes over things like VA disability medical conditions. Sometimes we do videos on C and P exams. Sometimes we do videos on helpful resources, non related to VA claims, but maybe things that are related to just quality of life and different programs, VA or other veteran friendly resources that are out there and available. So today we're gonna help sort of navigate some of the complexities related to Parkinson's disease again and how that is related to the disability. So let's just dive in and talk about what Parkinson's disease is.
Leah Bucholz:So Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurologic condition that primarily affects the body's ability to control movement, but it's much more than just tremors. So the disease stems from the loss of dopamine producing neurons in the brain, specifically in the substantia nigra. Commonly early signs include things like shaking or tremors, especially in the hands. But there's other things that can cause shaking and tremors in the hands. So that doesn't necessarily mean if you're having shaking and tremors, it's Parkinson's.
Leah Bucholz:There's things like essential tremor, which is pretty benign. So muscle stiffness or rigidity, slowed movements, difficulty with balance or walking. So there's something called facial masking, which can be reduced expression. As it progresses, Parkinson's can lead to things like cognitive impairments, mood changes. People can develop speech problems, difficulty swallowing, right?
Leah Bucholz:Or incontinence, so bowel disturbances and severe limitations in daily life. This isn't just part of the aging process, it's a disabling condition with serious medical and functional impacts, right? So, and the VA recognizes that. So what is some literature and environmental risks that may be applicable you can review and go over with your neurologist? So why do veterans have higher rates of Parkinson's?
Leah Bucholz:So let's look at some of the science. So let me pull up some of my research here that I pulled for today's video. According to a 2011 report by the National Academies of Sciences, formerly the Institute of Medicine, there limited or suggestive evidence linking Parkinson's herbicide exposure specifically Agent Orange. That research laid the foundation for the VA to add Parkinson's disease to its presumptive list for Vietnam veterans exposed to dioxin, right? So, but the story doesn't stop there.
Leah Bucholz:Camp Lejeune water contamination is another trigger. If you serve there for thirty cumulative days between 1953 and 1987, that's something to be aware of, right? There can be a relationship between those toxins. So burn pits used heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan exposed troops to toxic airborne chemicals, ongoing research like the VA's Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Center of Excellence is looking at possible links to Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative conditions. So TBI.
Leah Bucholz:TBI is another risk factor. So multiple studies included VA funded research have shown a correlation between TBI and later development of Parkinson's symptoms, especially among younger veterans. Solvent exposures, so jet fuel, pesticides, things like this are also suspected contributors in some cases. This data matters. It helps establish patterns, it helps justify presumptives, and most importantly, it helps veterans build strength to their claims in some circumstances.
Leah Bucholz:So there are three key ways veterans establish service connection for Parkinson's. And we've gone over these service connection types in most of our videos. So director primary service connection. So what does that mean? This is when Parkinson's began during service, active duty service, or within a year after discharge in some circumstances.
Leah Bucholz:It's rare but not impossible that if you were diagnosed or showing symptoms while in active duty, this route may apply. Option number two, presumptive service connection. As we discussed, VA has a list of presumptive service connected disabilities based on different things that you may have been exposed to or areas that you served in. So you don't need to prove direct causation if you were in a presumptive area that VA recognizes. So again, if you served in Vietnam boots on ground, inland waterways, you served in Thailand near air bases during Vietnam, you're a blue water Navy veteran who served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam.
Leah Bucholz:So these are just some of those areas. So just provide your military records and a current diagnosis. VA should presume service connection in most of those cases. Not always, but there's more information on va.gov about presumptive service connection. Secondary service connection.
Leah Bucholz:So this is when Parkinson's develops as a result of another service connected condition. So here are some examples. We talked about TBI earlier. If you're already service connected for TBI and years later you develop Parkinson's, that may be something that could be secondarily service connected. If you're service connected for pesticide or chemical exposure, some disabilities related to that, and you receive a Parkinson's diagnosis, some of those other service connected disabilities may help you support and strengthen that the exposure has caused you issues, right?
Leah Bucholz:So once Parkinson's is service connected, you might also be able to file other secondary service connected disabilities related to the Parkinson's, right? So depression or anxiety, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, loss of use of your extremities, bladder dysfunction, cognitive issues. Each of these types of things can be rated separately and compensated separately depending on the specifics. So how does VA rate Parkinson's? So this is not really my area of expertise.
Leah Bucholz:This is more of something that the VA accredited legal professionals can go over with you, but I know you guys like to hear about it, so I'll go over it. So VA rates Parkinson's under diagnostic code 8,004 for Parkinson's, the base rating is thirty percent, but that's just the starting point. VA is required to rate each residual symptom of Parkinson's separately. That can include things like trouble walking or balance rated under neurologic or orthopedic codes, speech and swallowing issues rated under those codes, mental decline rated under cognitive or psychiatric codes, loss of use of hands or legs, you might qualify for special monthly compensation. So I remember a veteran's case that I reviewed once and he was having difficulty with loss of use because he couldn't like button his buttons, he couldn't hold a spoon or a fork or utensils anymore.
Leah Bucholz:You know, he would like to play ball with his kids or his grandchildren and he couldn't really do that anymore because his grip strength was just not there. So mental decline, again, we talked about that. So in practice veterans with Parkinson's often receive seventy to one hundred percent ratings once all symptoms are considered. Not always, but it's not uncommon. So a veteran may also be eligible for TDIU or total disability based on individual unemployability if symptoms prevent them from holding a job.
Leah Bucholz:Parkinson's doesn't just qualify for monthly compensation, it can also unlock additional VA benefits such as aid in attendance you need help with bathing, dressing or toileting, housebound benefits if your condition restricts your mobility. Caregiver support program, if you meet qualifications for that, we have a great video on that as well. That special monthly compensation for loss of use of limbs or severe impairments. Again, that caregiver support program including stipends and in home support, priority enrollment in VA healthcare including specialized neurology care, equipment and adaptive housing grants, including walkers, home modifications, vehicle assistance in some cases. These benefits can make a major difference in your life and your quality of life.
Leah Bucholz:So if you're considering filing a claim because you believe that your Parkinson's is related to service, know, va.gov has great information on their website on how to do that, or you can also use someone like a VSO, accredited claims agent, or an attorney to assist you. Make sure that you check that with va.gov to use their search tool. You can find different people that the Office of General Counsel has approved to help you with your claim. So having a formal diagnosis can be important from a neurologist. You can get buddy statements that document the impact on your daily life if that's applicable.
Leah Bucholz:If you're filing a secondary claim, you can, again, talk to your doctor about that to see if they'll support you with connecting those dots. It's not always required. The VA, C and P examiners can do a good job of connecting that if they if there's strong evidence. And your symptoms are documented, complications, things like that. So be persistent, don't give up.
Leah Bucholz:This is serious. You're not asking for handouts. You're asking for what is fair. So Parkinson's disease is life changing, but veterans living with this condition are not alone. Whether your exposure was related to Vietnam, Camp Lejeune, Iraq, burn pits, whatever, there are pathways to service connect and real support from VA.
Leah Bucholz:I hope this video was helpful. Please drop some comments and let me know what you guys, if you guys have any feedback or stories to share. Again, I always challenge you to go over to va.gov. They have really great health documents. I love the health documents on va.gov that go over those different presumptive areas, just information on Parkinson's disease, those VA accreditation tool searches so that you can find somebody to help you with your claim, and just general support.
Leah Bucholz:So thank you again for watching and please like and subscribe and I'll talk to you guys soon. Alright. Bye.