Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) As A Presumptive Condition for In-Country Vietnam Veterans - Questions and Answers
- 1. What veterans will be affected when this condition is added as a presumptive condition for those exposed to herbicides/dioxins?
- Honorably discharged veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975 and have “adult onset diabetes mellitus.” This does not include veteran’s who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period February 28, 1961, to January 9, 1962.
- 2. What does “presumptive condition” mean?
- Normally, the claimant must show proof of relationship between service and the condition being claimed. Under presumption of service connection, VA presumes the service-connected relationship exists based on the other qualifying criteria, such as dates and location of service and that the condition being claimed, in this case, is associated with exposure to Agent Orange.
- 3. Must I have served “in-country” Vietnam to be eligible?
- To have presumptive service connection granted for diabetes mellitus based on Vietnam service, the claimant must have served in-country.
- 4. What does “in-country” mean? What if I served in support of operations in Vietnam, for example, on board a ship in the Gulf of Tonkin?
- During the period 1/9/62 through 5/7/75, you must have physically served or visited in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), including service in the waters offshore if the conditions of service involved duty or visitation in Vietnam. This means the ship must have come to port in the RVN and you disembarked.
- 5. Will private medical records be accepted as proof of my diabetes?
- Will I be required to undergo a VA examination?If private medical records are sufficient, VA can make a determination and grant based on those records. If not, a VA examination will be required. These records should :
- Comment on the age of onset and the diagnostic test used to
affirmatively diagnose this condition
- Comment on the treatment modalities (i.e. Insulin, diet,
regulation of activities, etc.)
- Discuss, if applicable, the prior and current episodes of
ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions. Were hospitalizations required? What
was the frequency of hospitalizations?
- Fully describe any complications that stem from the veteran’s diabetes mellitus; such as vision; cardiac; vascular; renal; neurologic (including both peripheral neuropathy and cerebral effects); amputations; and other associated complications.
- 6. I applied for service-connection for my diabetes and was denied. The condition was however, rated as non-service connected. Will I need to reapply for service connection?
- Vietnam veterans who were previously denied service connection for diabetes should reapply by contacting his or her local VA office at, 1-800-827-1000 or by e-mail through the VA web page. (www.va.gov).
- 7. My husband died from diabetes and was an in-country Vietnam veteran. Do I now qualify for service connected death benefits (DIC)?
- If you believe the cause of death was related to diabetes and the veteran had in-country service, you should contact the local VA office to determine your eligibility.
- 8. Will I receive retroactive benefits based on a grant of service connection due to presumptive service in Vietnam?
- Under a federal court decision in the case of Nehmer v. U.S. Veterans' Admin., C.A. No. C-86-6160 (TEH) (N.D. Cal.), Vietnam veterans are eligible for retroactive awards of benefits for their diabetes, if they applied for service connection for diabetes before the VA diabetes regulation went into effect on July 9, 2001.
- You will not receive any additional benefits as a result of this change. However, if your diabetic condition has increased in severity since you were last rated by VA, you should contact your local VA office. You can file a claim for a reevaluation and the local VA office can provide assistance with that claim.
- Even if you decide not to file a claim based on exposure to herbicide, you can still get a free physical examination at the nearest VA Medial Center. You may also be entitled to free ongoing medical treatment at a VA medical facility. You should contact the nearest VA medical facility or you can obtain information and an application for health benefits at the Veterans Health Administration web site at www.va.gov/vbs/health/index.htm or by calling 1-877-222-8387.
- 11. Where can I get a copy of the National Academy of Sciences Study on Herbicide/Dioxin Exposure and Type 2 Diabetes?
- You can download a copy of the study from the NAS web site at www.nap.edu/html/diabetes.
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