VA Disability Benefits for Diabetes Caused by Agent Orange Exposure

Approximately 10% of all adults in the United States have diabetes—and 95% of these individuals have Type 2 diabetes. Although the general public tends to associate Type 2 diabetes with people who are overweight and lead sedentary lifestyles, there are a number of additional risk factors that are often overlooked. One of these is exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

Receiving a Presumptive Service Connection for Type 2 Diabetes Caused by Agent Orange Exposure

Exposure to Agent Orange, a tactical herbicide used to clear leaves and vegetation for military operations during the Vietnam War, has been linked to a wide range of health problems. The VA has placed Type 2 diabetes on its list of conditions qualifying for a presumptive service connection for Veterans who served in a location where they were exposed to Agent Orange. There is no minimum length of service requirement because any exposure to Agent Orange is considered to put a Veteran at risk of future health problems.

If you qualify for a presumptive service connection, you will not need to submit evidence linking your condition to your military service. You will only need to provide proof that you served during a qualifying time period and medical records that demonstrate the severity of your condition.

Compensation for Secondary Service-Connected Conditions

If you qualify for a presumptive service connection for your Type 2 diabetes caused by Agent Orange exposure, you can receive VA disability benefits for any condition that occurs as the result of your diabetes. Managing diabetes is notoriously difficult, and many Veterans have secondary conditions such as:

• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease
• Coronary arteriosclerosis
• Renal dysfunction
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Premature cataracts of the eyes
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression

Receiving compensation for all secondary service-connected disabilities will increase your overall disability rating—potentially making you eligible for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits.

Do You Need to Speak to an Experienced VA Disability Benefits Attorney?

Do not let the VA’s confusing application and appeals process keep you from accessing the benefits you’ve earned in the service of your country. Contact the office of Sean Kendall, Attorney-at-Law, to request a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the best way to proceed with your claim.