Diabetes Type II
Connection to Agent Orange
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2000
VA Links Agent Orange and Diabetes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Vietnam veterans with Type-II diabetes will now be
eligible for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) based on their presumed exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.
Acting Secretary Hershel W. Gober announced today his decision to add
diabetes to the list of presumptive diseases associated with herbicide
exposure.
Gober's decision follows the latest in a series of reports by the Institute
of Medicine (IOM) examining the impact of herbicide exposure on veterans'
health. The most recent IOM report, released last month, included a review
of research efforts by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Air Force. Based on this new information, IOM
researchers found "limited / suggestive" evidence of an association between
the chemicals used in herbicides during the Vietnam War and adult-onset
(Type-II) diabetes.
"This is a significant milestone in our ongoing effort to keep America's
promise to her veterans, especially those who suffer from this debilitating
and life-altering disease," said Gober. "It also validates the process
we've established to ensure decisions of this magnitude are based on the
medical and scientific standards required by the law."
VA officials cautioned it will take several months to write the rules before
Vietnam veterans with diabetes can begin applying for disability
compensation. They can, however, enroll in VA's health care system
immediately and begin receiving the care they need.
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from
the body's inability to process the hormone insulin. More than 90 percent
of the 16 million diabetics in the United States are categorized as Type-II,
which occurs primarily in adults.
Approximately 16 percent of veterans receiving care in VA medical
facilities have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death and the leading cause of
blindness in the United States.
The number of diseases VA has recognized as being associated with Agent
Orange exposure expanded considerably during the 1990s. The following
conditions are now considered service-connected for Vietnam veterans:
chloracne (a skin disorder), porphyria cutanea tarda, acute or subacute
peripheral neuropathy (a nerve disorder), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft
tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer and
respiratory cancers (including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea and
bronchus). In addition, Vietnam veterans' children with the birth defect
spina bifida are eligible for certain benefits and services.
VA already grants service-connection for diabetes when the diabetes
developed during - or was otherwise related to - military service.
"Service-connection" is necessary to receive VA disability compensation and
may place the veteran in a higher priority classification for VA health
care. Gober's decision paves the way for that designation to be applied to
any veteran who served in-theater during the Vietnam War and subsequently
develops diabetes, without the diabetic veteran having to prove that Agent
Orange caused the disease.
Today's announcement begins a 60-day period for VA to publish proposed rules
for implementing this change in benefits. After the rules are published, a
90-day period begins during which VA will seek input to the proposal,
including a public comment period. When this process is complete, VA will
publish final rules for implementing the change.
Additional information regarding medical care and compensation for veterans
is available at VA regional offices or medical centers. The telephone
numbers can be found in local directories under the "U.S. Government"
listing. In most areas, for information about disability compensation and
VA pensions, callers can use the following toll-free number: 1-800-827-1000.
For health care and copayment information, call 1-877-222-8387. Information
is also available on VA's Web page, www
.va.gov.BM__Hlt498157951
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