The Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Program has added a new webpage with resources for Veterans with Parkinson’s Diesease and their care partners to help understand the relationship between military exposures and Parkinson’s disease, clinical care for Parkinson’s disease at the VA, how to apply for benefits or get help doing so, and more.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 110,000 veterans have Parkinson’s disease (PD). In response, the VA has established six Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs). In addition, a network of 51 Consortium Centers offer veterans and their care partners administrative assistance, professional collaboration, and educational support from PADRECCs.  Veterans who cannot visit a PADRECC facility can be treated at their nearest Consortium Center or through telemedicine.  Find out more about the PADRECCs, and Consortium Centers, where they are located and what medical, educational, and supportive services are offered.

Also on new the Veteran’s webpage are:

• Downloadable booklets from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs with information about federal and California state benefits, advocacy and assistance, and more.  
  
• Information about environmental exposure to hazardous materials, particularly Agent Orange
  
• Where to get help applying for VA benefits from the California Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs (CalVet) in the county where you live.
  
• How the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 is being implemented.
  
• Links to the PADRECC and US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, Agent Orange Exposure websites.
  
• A story about what a service dog can do for someone with PD, with tips about training a service dog, and a link to an article about how to afford a service dog.
  
• A summary of VA disability compensation benefits, who is eligible, what determines a monthly benefit amount, Presumptive Service Connection for PD, and service connection for PD without a presumption, how to file a claim, and what to do if yoru claim is approved or denied.
  
• VA eligibility to participate in research studies with links to learn more and sign up.
  
• VA research on Parkinson’s Disease since the PADRECC centers were formed in 2011.
  
• VA financial aid programs, including pensions, VA aid & attendance, household allowance, VA healthcare, and service-connected disability compensation.
  
• Podcasts and webinars about all the above and firsthand accounts by veterans living with PD.

Check out the new website here and have a safe and happy Veterans Day 2021.