Ted,
I recently received my confirmation letter from the VA health care system and will now proceed with my claim for Type II diabetes. Does your message imply that my compensation will be pro-rated back to 5/8/01?

Type II Diabetes

The rule the VA uses is from the first day of the month after the claim is received in the VA. The effective date I spoke about in the previous post is for those veterans who were suffering from Type II Diabetes when The Court ruled that Type II Diabetes was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. I would very much like if the VA would prove me wrong, but after this many years in the business I think I am right. I suggest you work on a diagnosis with and earlier effective date because diabetes is such and incidious disease that you may have had symptoms and the actual diabetes before you even knew about it. A method like that may work because of The Court's ruling.
I will also address the above post. I wish you the absolute best with what is happening with your health. I know it has you half scared to death because sooner or later, we will all have to face our own mortality. I hope and pray they can get your diabetes under control.
Ted Duckworth
Veterans Service Officer
Juneau Co. WI

Type II diabetes

Ted - I have been reading about the Type II Diabetes and was wondering how you go about filing a claim for that. I was diagnosed in 1997 with Type II and continue to have problems with it. I was in Viet Nam from 1966-67. I was wondering if it could be related to Agent Orange and who can I contact to find out about filing a claim. Any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks - Cregg Freeman

Type II Diabetes

Cregg,
You need to find an application for compensation and the form number is VA form 21-526. However, I would suggest you call 1-800-827-1000 which is the toll free telephone number nationwide for the VA. Call the nearest VA Regional Office at this number and tell them you need assistance in applying for Type II Diabetes. Get your treatment records from the source of treatment. If, the VA was treating you, the VA can obtain your medical records without your asking them to do so. Should you live in a state that provides county veterans service officers seek your local service officer out and ask for their assistance. You have served in Vietnam and have a diagnosis of Type II diabetes you are guaranteed a rating. The rating will be made on the severity of your diagnosis and other related medical problems associated with diabetes. You need to run, not walk to your nearest VA representative for assistance.
Ted Duckworth
Veterans Service Officer
Juneau Co. WI

Effective date for diebetes !!

Ted, Thanks to your info, I contacted the VA about the date set by the Court of Appeals for Agent Orange related illness, today
Aug. 20th 2003 their will be an additional months disability added to my bank account, as they received my claim on June 12. 2001
my start date was July 1, 2001, now my effective date is May 8.2001 with start date of June 1, 2001.Thank you very much.

Semper Fi.
Carl Rice Gold Canyon, Arizona

VA Rating

I am about to retire from active duty. I was diagnosed about seven years ago with diabetes. At the time I was diagnosed I only had to take pills to treat it. I had progressively gotten worst to the point I now am on an insulin pump. I have asked several people with VA and such as to what VA disability rating if any should I expect. I never got a good idea from what they would tell me. I also have other issues such as in 1999 I had stent implant in my heart. I also am being treated for high blood pressure, arthritic condition in my left knee, pinched static nerve and some disk problems in my neck. I have no combat time but all my issues accrued while I was on active duty.

I am just looking for some idea of what to expect when I retire in Jan 05.

thanks
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