UPDATE: As of January 2020, Blue Water claims are being processed.
If the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015 (H.R.969) passes, thousands of Blue Water Veterans will be able to receive benefits that they previously didn’t qualify for. Blue Water Vets will finally be entitled to the same presumptions that Brown Water Vets receive. This means that Blue Water Vets with certain disabilities that the VA designated as related to Agent Orange exposure will not have to prove the link between their disability and their military service (the nexus requirement). In other words, a Blue Water Vet with one of the designated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, will receive presumptive service connection.
This will have a huge impact on thousands of veterans that have previously been unable to receive benefits from the VA. Once the proposed legislation passes, Blue Water Vets should be able to easily get their chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, service connected. However, the fight doesn’t stop with getting the diabetes mellitus diagnosis service-connected. One mistake that the VA is likely to make is failing to consider secondary conditions caused by diabetes mellitus. In order to make sure you are receiving all of the benefits you’re entitled to, you need to be aware of the secondary conditions associated with your service-connected condition. Being aware of these secondary conditions will help you be better equipped to check a rating decision for mistakes that the VA may make.
Today, we will specifically cover secondary conditions related to diabetes mellitus type II. First, it’s important to understand how secondary conditions can be service-connected. A secondary condition is any disability that is caused by a service- connected disability. A veteran with a service- connected disability that causes a secondary condition does not have to prove service connection for that secondary condition.
The chronic complications of diabetes can affect many different parts of the body. There is no official list of what the VA considers to be a complication of diabetes mellitus. The following list includes common secondary conditions associated with diabetes mellitus, along with a brief description of the condition:
General Conditions
- Diabetic Nephropathy: A disease of the kidneys that can progress to a form of kidney failure known as chronic renal failure. Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease.
- Diabetic Neuropathy: This is damage to nerves in the arms and legs. The nerve damage can cause numbness and pain in the hands, arms, legs, and feet.
- Automatic Neuropathy: A disorder that affects certain nerves that may lead to problems with digestion, diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, a rapid heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s clear lens which blocks light. Cataracts are a major cause of visual impairment in diabetic patients.
- Retinopathy: Disorders of the retina of the eye.
- Glaucoma: Disease caused by nerve damage in the eye.
- Macular Edema: Blood vessel damage within the macula. The macula is the part of the retina that is most critical to vision.
Blood Sugar Conditions
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar. Also known as an insulin reaction.
- Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar. Hyperglycemia can progress to diabetic ketoacidosis if not treated effectively.
- Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrom (HHNS): This disease leads to severe dehydration, coma, and death.
Heart and Circulation Complications:
- Atherosclerosis: Also known as hardening or narrowing of the arteries.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure.
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Bacterial Infections: Examples include styes, boils, and carbuncles.
- Fungal Infections: Examples include jock itch, yeast infections, ringworm, and athlete’s foot.
- Diabetic Dermopathy: This is caused by changes in the small blood vessels, and is evidenced by scaly brown patches on the legs that do not open, hurt, or itch.
- Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabecticorum (NLD): Caused by changes in the blood vessels. Evidenced by dull red raised spots on the skin. This condition is harmless unless the sores break open.
- Disseminated Granuloma annulare: This is evidenced by ring shaped or arc shaped rashes.
- Acanthosis Nigricans: Evidenced by raised tan or brown patches.
Mental Conditions:
- Depression: Diabetics have a greater risk of depression than non-diabetics.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive of the secondary conditions associated with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, there is no official list of what the VA considers as secondary conditions of diabetes mellitus. Be sure to discuss any symptoms you are experiencing with your doctor. Just because your symptoms are not one of the above listed conditions, does not mean they are not a result of diabetes mellitus. Ask your doctor if what you’re experiencing is related to diabetes mellitus. If yes, have the doctor write a medical opinion saying the symptoms/condition you are experiencing are related to your diagnosis of diabetes. While you do not have to prove that the secondary condition is related to military service, you must prove that the condition is related to your service-connected diabetes mellitus.
UPDATE: As of January 2020, Blue Water claims are being processed.
