diabetes Re-open Va File?

[screamineagle]

I have been 100% since 1998 and held PNT status since 2001. I took early seperation from the Navy in 1992 and was put into the inactive reserves for two additional years for a total of 16 yrs. I am 100% for Bipolar-Disorder type 2 and have been in VA treatment and civilan since my discharge to present.

In 1995 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am now on insulin. I was a Mess Specialist First Class in the Navy and naturally being a cook over weight. I know my sugar levels were high then and cannot find my Navy Medical record to verify that.

According to the ADA (American Diabetes Asocciation) my job and Being on the Medicine that they were treating me for depression contributed to early onset diabetes.

Should I re-open my file to request service connection for my Diabetes???????????? ;)

[iraqx2]

I think you should even though you are already at 100%. Two benefits, first is the medical treatment handled by the VA at no charge if it is service connected. Secondly, you situation might push you over the limit and fall into extra compensation under the SMC program.

Good luck.

[Testvet]

first the medical covergae is automatic becuase the veteran is 100% however the diabetes can lead to cardiovascular problems and other secondary conditions, however you are risking them re-evaluating your mental condition by reopening the file you have to decide if it's worth it or not.

[Berta]

"In 1995 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am now on insulin. I was a Mess Specialist First Class in the Navy and naturally being a cook over weight. I know my sugar levels were high then and cannot find my Navy Medical record to verify that."

Go to the NARA web site and file out the SF 180 for all of your medical and personnel Navy records.

If the diabetes is documented in any way in thise records (and remember the ADA lowered the Glucose criteria in 1997 but still if the glucose was high when you were in the USN-you should feinitely file a claim for direct service connect of your diabetes and any other disabilties it has caused you.

Also If you were in the Pacific during in any Ops during the Vietnam War you should also state after you claim direct SC, state that also this is a claim for service connected by Presumption under the Agent Orange regulations (Nehmer).

If you stepped on foot on Vientamese soil and your mil records can prove that-tell them that right away in the Agent Orange claim.

The VA has thrown BWV (Blue WAter Navy Vietnam Vets with established 'foot on Nam soil' into the illegal moratorium.

All others BWN VVs- are forced into waiting for the Fed court Haas decision-

BUT should file their claims ASAP.

As a retiree you might be eligible for either CRDP or CRSC too -have you checked these programs out?

-

[luvHIM]

first the medical covergae is automatic becuase the veteran is 100% however the diabetes can lead to cardiovascular problems and other secondary conditions, however you are risking them re-evaluating your mental condition by reopening the file you have to decide if it's worth it or not.

I agree about the medical coverage and the fact that the diabetes condition can lead to other major medical issues that you would want to have service connected if something should happen to you as a result of the diabetes.

However, I was under the impression that if you have been assigned 100% P&T for 10 years or more you are considered STATIC at this point and the VARO can not reduce you. But I will have to look that up again.

At any rate, personally, I would file the claim. Diabetes is nothing to play with and the other secondary conditions that can sprout from it are nothing to play with either. Your chances of falling deathly ill from the MH condition is least likely when compared to your diabetes condition. The only thing I recommend is having the necessary evidence to support your claim so that it is not a long drug out process. Best regards.

[luvHIM]

I'm glad that I was the last one to post on this thread because I have to make a correction to my earlier comment.

It appears that you can be scheduled for re-evaluation exams, although you are P&T and 100%. According to what I read, a veteran must be 100% and P&T for 20 years or more before he/she is in the clear-so to speak; not ten years as I stated previously.

The VARO can request a veteran be scheduled for a C&P at any time in between granting the award (EED) and the twenty (20) years. So, having made that discovery, I would just weigh out all of the consequences before making my decision to file a claim for the diabetes. But the issues that arise from being diabetic can definitely add stress and anxiety, which could make your current MH condition worse. So, I don't see the VA decreasing the benefits they are already paying you. But I'm sure you will make the best choice for you. Best regards.

[Ricky]

Hmmm.... interesting question. Couple of ways to answer this -my opinion and the closest thing to an official kinda answer.........

My opinion on this is that yes there are some very serious secondary conditions caused by DM. HOWEVER, (comma) you must be 100 percent sure you can link this to your service without any loop holes at all. If not, you are taking a very large and long roll of the dice here.

IF you can obtain your service medical records and they contain elevated glucose readings on SEVERAL occasions and you can get a rock solid medical opinion supporting the theory that your onset of DM was a direct result of those factors you have provided and the inservice glucose readings then you will more than likely succeed on a claim such as this even if you have to carry it through to the BVA.

Now service medical records containing 1,2,or 3 elevated glucose readings, even with an IMO, would make it too much of a crapshoot for me. For at this point your chance of success is somewhere around 70-80 percent.

Bottom line is that it is going to be up to you and what you are willing to chance. You currently have a gurantee in your hands, but once you start rolling the claims dice again who knows.

Now with all of that said, if you have indications of elevated glucose in your service medical records then you have a valid claim. So you should file it without worry as long as you have continued treatment with the mental issue and it has not improved.

In any case, the first and foremost thing to keep in mind is make sure you get the needed treatment and heed what the doc tells you. Most with DM, including myself, tend to forget about the deadly results of this disease cause we can not feel it on a daily basis. It is not until we have a heart attack, stroke, or began to lose our sight or feet that we begin to worry - IT IS TOO LATE AT THAT POINT. Take care of yourself and good luck with your claim if you file it.