Hey Vietnam Veterans, did you know?
If you develop Diabetes Mellitus (Type II), you are automatically eligible for VA Healthcare benefits and a monthly disability check.
Conditions that are secondary to diabetes are also covered, such as neuropathy, chronic kidney failure, heart disease, etc. It is presumed that anyone that stepped foot in Vietnam was exposed to Agent Orange, which is the reason for these benefits. There are currently 14 listed presumptive diseases** that automatically qualify veterans to receive compensation, including Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer.
For more information or help in filing a claim, contact the Spokane County Regional Veteran Services office at 509-477-3690, or the North Idaho Veteran Services and Benefits office in Post Falls at 208-446-1092. These service centers can help you enroll in the VA medical system and get you to a Veteran Service Officer to help file your claim.
**Note: Type II Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer are only 3 out of the 14 diseases that automatically qualify for compensation. For more information on diseases associated with Agent Orange, call the centers or go online at publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/.