Parkinson’s disease has been a presumptive disease of Agent Orange since August 31, 2010. However, Parkinsonism has just been added to the Agent Orange presumptive list since January 1, 2021 (along with bladder cancer and hypothyroidism).

As you probably know, they are not the same. Parkinson’s is a specific disease while Parkinsonism refers to a group of neurological disorders that cause problems similar to Parkinson’s, primarily movement issues.

Parkinson’s is the most common primary cause of Parkinsonism. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s means that they also have Parkinsonism. However, a diagnosis of Parkinsonism does not mean they have Parkinson’s.

Some of the common types of Parkinsonisms are:

• Vascular Parkinsonism (caused by clotting in the brain from a series of small strokes (TIA))
• Secondary parkinsonism (caused by other medical problems such as stroke, brain tumors)
• Drug-induced parkinsonism (caused by medications, like anti-psychotics and anti-depressants)
• Atypical parkinsonism, such as:
  • Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) – Lease common of the atypical forms of Parkinsonism. Usually develops after 60 years of age.
  • Dementia with lewy bodies (DLB) – Parkinsonism caused by alzhimer’s
  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA) or Shy-Drager syndrome – Affects more than one body system, with the autonomic nervous system most severely affected.
  • Progressive supranuclear Palsy (PSP) – This form of Parkinsonism affects walking, balance, eye movement, and swallowing. Like CBD, symptoms usually begin after 60 years of age.