Almost everyone is familiar with the herbicide Agent Orange that was used in Vietnam. Agent Orange was sprayed across Vietnam. The chemicals used in Agent Orange are toxic. VA has acknowledged that exposure to those chemicals increases the risk of developing many different diseases even decades after the exposure.
Dangers of Type 2 Diabetes
One of the diseases caused by Agent Orange exposure is Type 2 diabetes (also known as Type 2 diabetes mellitus). People suffering from Type 2 diabetes cannot adequately process the sugar in their blood. Without proper treatment, people suffering from Type 2 diabetes will likely suffer damage to their eyes, kidneys, and hearts.
Presumption that diabetes was caused by Agent Orange exposure
Because of special rules put in place by VA, veterans who served in Vietnam are almost always presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during their service. If a Vietnam veteran develops Type 2 diabetes, VA should also presume that the diabetes was caused by this exposure to Agent Orange. If you are a Vietnam veteran who develops Type 2 diabetes, you should file a claim for disability benefits with VA for your diabetes.
Service-connection for Type 2 diabetes from Agent Orange exposure
Since Type 2 diabetes is on the list of conditions that are presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange, VA should determine that your Type 2 diabetes is a service-connected disability. If they do not, then you are probably going to need to file a notice of disagreement to appeal your denial of service connection. If VA grants service connection, they should issue a rating decision giving VA’s opinion on the amount of your disability.
How is the disability rating for diabetes calculated?
The disability rating given by VA in the rating decision should depend on the severity of your Type 2 diabetes. VA uses ratings tables published in the Code of Federal Regulations to rate medical conditions. Diabetes is rated using code “7913 Diabetes mellitus.” The table below shows the different percentage disability ratings and the symptoms associated with each rating:
Diabetes mellitus
Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated
100
Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated
60
Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities
40
Requiring insulin and restricted diet, or; oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet
20
Manageable by restricted diet only
10
It is important to remember that you may be entitled to a rating even higher than what is contained in the above table if you have certain complications of diabetes that are to be rated separately according to the regulations.
Diabetes is just one of the many diseases that are presumed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. If you have any questions about filing or appealing a claim for a disability resulting from Agent Orange exposure, talking to an attorney may be helpful to you.
You can set up a free veterans disability consultation with our office to get more information about how we can help. To find out more about what a free consultation is and how it works, just read this article that explains the process.
Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims. He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.
You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.
I highly recommend Travis and his team. From start to finish, the communication and professionalism were outstanding. Jessica was absolutely amazing — responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to help answer questions and keep me informed throughout the process.
Travis was also excellent and made me feel confident that I was in good hands. Their entire office treated me with respect and care, and I truly appreciate everything they did for me. If you’re looking for an attorney and legal team that genuinely cares about their clients, I would definitely recommend them.Carlos Thornton
Travis Studdard and his team were always professional and from intake to case resolution, they were extremely pleasant to work with. After working closely with them for roughly six years, they successfully appealed my sleep apnea claim with the VA. At times I thought about giving up, but it was their diligence and confidence in their approach that gave me the ability sustain. There were no surprises, they led me by hand every step of the way. My family and I are truly appreciative for their great work. His team truly cares and it shows. They will fight to the end for veterans. I couldn't be happier with the results.James
I had the pleasure to be helped by Travis and his team on my VA disability claim. They know what they are doing, and I would definitely work with them again. I recommend them to any veteran that has a wrongfully denied claim with the VA...Joel Onomo
Travis and his team helped me get my case done when I couldn't get it done by myself.Everything went much faster and better than I expected.I highly recommend his team for any veteran trying to get a claim processed. Norman Scott,U.S.Army veteranNorman Scott
Jason Perkins and his team are so kind, knowledgable and helpful. They were thorough with all my legal needs and made sure my medical needs were taken care of financially. What I most appreciate is that he was always very clear about what was best for my case, but he also always told me I needed to do what was best for me, both mentally and physically. He was always available to answer questions, made sure I understood, and was willing to let me make decisions regarding my case. His ethics are beyond reproach. He would not take a percentage of a payment he did not help me receive. You can trust him. He always made it clear that my mental and physical well-being were more important than any part of my case. Then he would explain what would be best for the case and why, and allow me time to decide. Being in the Worker's Compensation system was an incredibly demeaning experience. I am a strong, educated woman, but when everyone in a system tells you that you are not worthy of the care you have received your entire life, and you instantly become less than to many of those who are suppose to be caring for you, it would weigh on anyone. I am so thankful I had Jason and his team fighting for me, getting me things I never would have imagined would be denied, like a second opinion before surgery, or physical therapy instead of opioids. I cannot imagine trying to handle this experience by myself.Andri Pilgrim
Would definitely recommend 10/10! The team was super helpful through the entire process, and always were available for questions anytime I needed. Always quick to respond, and we’re always sweet and professional!Haley Nicole
Perkins Studdard LLC has been wonderful to work with from the first day through the final journey. They were prompt in requesting the information from me so they could appeal my claim with the VA. I had exhausted all means trying but they were able to get me to 100%. I would "HIGHLY" recommend using them if you are having difficulty getting anywhere with the VA.Mike Black
When i found this law firm I was going through a hard time not just with the VA but mentally as well. And after i hard denial i reached out to Travis and let me just say that was the best decision of my life. From the first call i knew i had made the right decision they are nothing short of amazing. Shoutout to Jessica and Chandler they both helped ease my stress and make the process so smooth it felt really good to be heard. My only mistake was not reaching out to them sooner. Thank you all so very muchRilesia Singleton
Perkins Studdard LLC has done for me what VSO, the DAV, and I could not do on my own. For 10 years after my last rating the VA was bound and determined to keep me at my current percentage. My body was tired physically and mentally. I needed help that the civilian world was not going to let me stop work for. I contacted Perkins Studdard and worked with Jessica and Travis. To tell you what I ever hoped for was greatly exceeded. I am able to now properly heal since 2007 when I was medically discharged. I promise when we feel like we are forgotten you have people like Travis and Jessica that work hard for you to make sure you are not. Their policy on pay is exceptional and even when I got aggravated they understood how to keep me calm and helped my patience. I think the VA does not like to see them coming. I got the holy grail, home run, I can breath decision I needed. Let them help you!Lisa Jordan
I have enjoyed my experience with Perkins Studdard. The team is always available to answer questions and make me feel comfortable, and like I matter. Did a great job with my VA Disability.Matt Strange
I understand you want your VA claim to be done as quickly as possible. But remember the ultimate goal – to win your VA disability compensation claim.
You may eventually get there on your own, but it may be after a series of decisions by the Regional Office and Board of Veterans Appeals. Sometimes claims are appealed and remanded several times, which can cause a claim to drag on for years. If you are interested in avoiding unnecessary delay in your claim and want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of success, it is probably a good idea for you to consult with an accredited veterans disability attorney.
We would be happy to talk to you. If you would like a free consultation with our Perkins Studdard veterans disability attorneys just click here or give us a call to begin the process.
