| 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
exist 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 (RVM), 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 of 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?
As soon as the governing regulations regarding this
issue are published, if you had in-country Vietnam service and have
diabetes, you will need to reapply. Any veteran in this situation
should contact 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. When will my benefits begin if I am
granted service connection for diabetes?
VA must publish regulations to implement this
decision. Benefit payments cannot begin prior to the date the VA
publishes the final regulation concerning this issue. We expect
the process to be completed by late Spring 2001.
9. Will I receive retroactive benefits based
on a grant of service connection due to presumptive service in Vietnam?
No. The regulations will not have a provision
for retroactive payment prior to the date the final regulation is
published.
10. If I am already service connected for
diabetes, will I get an increase based on this change?
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
reevaluation and the local VA office can provide assistance with that
claim.
11. Will I be eligible for medical treatment?
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 Medical 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.
12. 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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