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Diabetes Mellitus
(Type II) As A Presumptive Condition for
In-Country Vietnam Veterans
Fact Sheet Diabetes mellitus (Type II, adult
onset) has been added as a presumptive condition for in-country Vietnam
veterans. Acting Secretary Herschel Gober announced this action on November 9,
2000. In-country service in Vietnam presumes exposure to the herbicide Agent
Orange if the veteran meets the criteria outlined in
38
CFR §3.313 regarding dates of service and the condition being claimed
is one listed in
38
CFR §3.307 (6)iii. VA is in the process of writing the regulations,
which will govern the adjudication of claims for diabetes as a presumptive
condition and add diabetes to the aforementioned section of 38 Code of Federal
Regulations.
- What veterans
are affected by this added presumptive condition?
- 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". You must have physically served or
visited in the Republic of Vietnam, 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 RPV and you disembarked. This does not
include veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period
February 28, 1961, to January 9, 1962.
- 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 relationship, if the condition was diagnosed within
the time period specified in
38
CFR §3.307(6)ii and the condition is recognized by
38
CFR §3.309 (e).
- Can I be treated
for my diabetes without applying for service connection?
- Yes. You can be treated at any VA Medical Center. You will
however, need to show evidence of military service in Vietnam. Usually, a DD
Form 214 will serve as proof of service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- How can I
apply?
- We would encourage any veteran with in-country Vietnam
service and diagnosed diabetes mellitus to contact his or her local VA office
for information and assistance on applying for benefits. Or you may
apply on-line.
- Where can I get
more information about the relationship between diabetes mellitus and possible
exposure to Agent Orange?
- Additional information can be found at the Veterans Health
Administration web site which is at www.va.gov
and the National Academy of Sciences Study on Herbicide/Dioxin Exposure and
Type 2 Diabetes can be found at the NAS web site at
www.nap.edu/html/diabetes.
For More Information Call Toll-Free at 1-800-827-1000
or visit Our Web Site www.va.gov.
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