what type ii diabetes treatment is available through the va?

Currently, VA offers medical care including diet counseling, weight loss programs, and blood glucose monitoring for the 1.5 million Veterans enrolled in VA health care who have Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance in people with Type 2 diabetes — a hormone that helps move sugar into cells — causes high blood glucose levels.

Full Answer

Are You being treated by the VA for type 2 diabetes?

Are you one of the nearly 1.5 million veterans being treated by the VA for type 2 diabetes? If so, the Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free access to an online specialty clinic providing diabetes management strategies.

What are the VA’s clinical practice guidelines for diabetes treatment?

The VA’s clinical practice guidelines for diabetes call for blood sugar control through “diet, exercise, medication, and patient education.”

How much does it cost the VA to treat diabetics?

Diabetes is expensive for the VA. Inpatient and outpatient costs of vets with diabetes eats up 4% of the VA’s overall healthcare budget and 28% of its pharmacy budget. The VA shells out well over one-and-a-half billion (!) dollars each year to care for vets with diabetes.

What is a Level 4 diabetic in the VA?

Level 4: Veteran requires insulin AND restricted diet AND regulation of activities, AND has a record of episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year, or twice-a-month visits to a diabetic care provider.

Is type 2 diabetes a VA disability?

The higher your VA disability rating is, the higher your monthly benefit amount. The VA rates Type 2 diabetes on this same scale. It will rate your diabetes as 10 percent disabling if you can manage it with diet alone. You will receive a 100 percent disability rating if you require insulin more than once a day.

How much does the VA pay for type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated by the VA under 38 CFR 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7913; under this schedule, Veterans can be assigned a 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% or 10% disability rating. Ratings for diabetes vary among veterans based on the progression or severity of their condition.

What VA disability is secondary to diabetes?

If you win a service-connection for your diabetes, any complication that arises out of your diabetes diagnosis may qualify as a secondary service-connected disability. Some of the common secondary conditions associated with diabetes include: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) Diabetic retinopathy.

Can diabetes be a secondary VA claim?

Diabetes can cause a wide range of other medical issues. Veterans who are service-connected for diabetes and develop a secondary condition could qualify for VA disability benefits for the secondary disability.

Does VA cover insulin?

Most health plans in the U.S. now cover insulin pumps for type 2s who require both basal and fast-acting insulin, but so far, the VA will only cover pumps for those few VA patients who develop type 1 diabetes as adults during or after their service.

How do I increase my VA disability for diabetes?

If a doctor prescribes a diabetic medication, such as the ones below, in addition to a restricted diet, the VA will grant an increase to 20%. The medications below are common oral hypoglycemic medications and their generic names.

Does VA consider sleep apnea secondary to diabetes?

If you already have Type 2 Diabetes that is service-connected through the VA, you can file a claim for sleep apnea as secondary to diabetes. The amount of medical literature linking diabetes and OSA is growing, along with awareness of this problem.

What is the normal rating for diabetes?

A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) indicates prediabetes.

What is the VA disability rating for high blood pressure?

According to the VA guidelines, you may receive a disability rating of 10% to 60% for hypertension: 10% rating–When your diastolic pressure is 100 to 109, or your systolic pressure is 160 to 199. 20% rating–If your diastolic pressure is 110 to 119, or your systolic pressure is 200 or higher.

Is diabetes presumptive VA disability?

Type 2 Diabetes. VA disability benefits are generally unavailable if you have type 1 diabetes, although there are certain limited exceptions. Type 2 diabetes, which is a presumptive condition for those veterans exposed to Agent Orange, is most commonly service connected.

Does the VA offer the dexcom G6?

Dexcom's G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is now available at Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies in the United States. The cost of the G6 CGM will be fully covered by the VA for veterans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who take rapid-acting insulin (read more on eligibility criteria below).

Is diabetes secondary to PTSD?

The Veteran's type 1 diabetes mellitus is secondary to service-connected PTSD. 38 U.S.C.A. § 1110 (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310 (2015).

How to verify diabetes?

Private medical records may be used to verify your diabetes. If the records are sufficient, VA can make a determination and grant disability compensation benefits based on those records. If not, a VA examination will be required. Your medical records should: 1 Comment on the date of onset and the diagnostic test used to affirmatively diagnose this condition. 2 Comment on the treatment modalities (i.e. Insulin, diet, regulation of activities, etc.). 3 Discuss, if applicable, the prior and current episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions. Were hospitalizations required? What was the frequency of hospitalizations? 4 Fully describe any complications that stem from your diabetes mellitus condition; such as vision; cardiac; vascular; renal; neurologic (including both peripheral neuropathy and cerebral effects), amputations; and other associated complications.

What to do if your diabetic condition has increased in severity?

If your diabetic condition has increased in severity since you were last rated by VA, you should contact your local VA office. You can file a claim for a reevaluation and the local VA office can provide assistance with that claim.

What are the complications of diabetes mellitus?

Fully describe any complications that stem from your diabetes mellitus condition; such as vision; cardiac; vascular; renal; neurologic (including both peripheral neuropathy and cerebral effects), amputations; and other associated complications.

What happens if my spouse dies from diabetes?

If you believe your spouse's death was caused by diabetes mellitus, and he/she was an in-country Vietnam Veteran , you may be eligible for Dependents and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Parents' DIC.

Can Vietnam Veterans get retroactive benefits?

Under a federal court decision, Vietnam Veterans are eligible for retroactive awards of benefits for their diabetes if you applied for service-connection for diabetes before the VA diabetes regulation went into effect on May 8, 2001. If you were previously denied service-connection for diabetes mellitus (Type II), you should reapply by contacting your local VA office.

Does the VA have to prove Agent Orange?

Normally, you would have to show proof of a relationship between your military service and the condition being claimed. Under presumption of service connection, however, VA presumes the relationship between exposure to Agent Orange and diabetes mellitus (Type II) if you meet all the following conditions:

Can you use private medical records to verify diabetes?

Private medical records may be used to verify your diabetes. If the records are sufficient, VA can make a determination and grant disability compensation benefits based on those records. If not, a VA examination will be required. Your medical records should:

What are the best treatments for diabetic neuropathy?

The following interventions can be considered in patients with diabetic neuropathy: 1 Acupuncture. [42] [43] A number of masked studies support the use of acupuncture. In one study, the benefits of acupuncture lasted for up to six months and reduced the use of other analgesics. 2 Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). [44] This free radical scavenger antioxidant has been shown to be efficacious in the management of painful neuropathies when administered parenterally. It can also be given orally. Oral dose is 300 mg daily. 3 Magnet Therapy. [45] Static magnetic sole inserts have been found to reduce neuropathic pain when administered daily over three to four months. 4 Capsaicin. [46] This alkaloid, which is found in red pepper, depletes tissue of substance P and reduces chemically induced pain. Capsaicin is applied topically. 5 Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). [47] Studies have shown ALC supplementation reduces pain and improves nerve fiber regeneration and vibration perception. Dose is 500-1000 mg three times daily.

Which exercise program leads to greater glycemic control than unstructured exercise?

Structured exercise training programs lead to greater glycemic control than unstructured exercise in diabetic patients

What is low GI diet?

Low glycemic index (GI) diet. The low-GI diet focuses on carbohydrate type. GI measures how quickly a carbohydrate affects postprandial glucose levels. Low GI foods result in a more gradual rise in glucose and insulin release versus high GI foods. More insulin release in a short time period can lead to more abrupt drops in glucose levels and promote chronic inflammation. Over time, the low-GI eating can result in a 0.4% to 0.5% reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c). [2] [3] For more information, refer to the Glycemic Index. Whole Health tool.

What diets lower insulin?

Vegetarian diet. Plant-based diets may be associated with lower circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). They have been found to lead to a 1.23% reduction in HgbA1C, according to one randomized controlled trial (RCT). [5]

Does yoga help with T2DM?

Yoga. Two systematic reviews concluded that yoga likely benefits patients with T2DM by lowering blood sugars, LDL, triglycerides, body weight, waist to hip ratio, and HbA1c, as well as raising HDL. [21] [22] A 2017 review of 12 randomized controlled trials totaling 864 patients re-demonstrated these physiological benefits of yoga practice. [23] A 2016 review also noted that there was some limited evidence suggesting other health benefits of yoga practice in people with T2DM, including lower oxidative stress and blood pressure, as well enhanced pulmonary and autonomic function; it also demonstrated improved mood, sleep, and quality of life, as well as reduced medication use. [24] A 2017 review and meta-analysis of 23 studies with 2,473 participants also showed that yoga improved glycemic control. [25] Interestingly, a 2018 review of studies comparing yoga with physical exercise (the control group), showed that yoga practice was associated with a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose, A1c, and BMI compared to the control group. [26] Despite the greater number of studies and reviews being published, there is still significant heterogeneity across the research, and further study is still needed.Exercise is a fundamental component of diabetes care that helps weight reduction and glucose uptake. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity weekly, over at least 3 days a week, with no more than 2 consecutive days without activity. Resistance training provides additional benefit and is recommended at least twice weekly for the 5 major muscle groups. [20]

Is plant based diet good for T2DM?

Plant-Based diets: A 2018 review of studies related to the implementation of plant-based diets with people diagnosed with T2DM showed some statistically significant health associations. These include improved emotional well-being, physical well-being, depression, quality of life, general health, hemoglobin A1c levels, weight, and both total and LDL cholesterol. [7]

Does hyperglycemia reduce mortality?

It also does not decrease mortality. This suggests, then, that only focusing on treating blood glucose numbers in diabetics is not sufficient. Additional focus should be given to reducing inflammation and improving lifestyle factors, which can have microvascular benefits and lengthen lifespan. This Whole Health tool offers evidence-based suggestions on how the Whole Health approach can enhance T2DM care.

How many veterans have diabetes?

Nearly 25% of veterans in the VA healthcare system have diabetes, compared to about 8.3% of the general public. The vast majority of vets with diabetes are type 2s.

When did the VA add insulin?

Of note, however, is the fact that the VA dragged its feet for years when it came to adding modern basal insulin, like Lantus, to their formulary, not doing so until 2007, under pressure from Congress and veterans groups.

How long does Manar wait for his A1C?

He says he occasionally waits 5-6 weeks for an appointment, but “my care has been exemplary.”.

What is the A1C target for the VA?

Rather than adopting fixed A1C targets like other diabetes guidelines in the U,S, historically have, the VA calls for an individualized A1C target between 7 and 9, taking into account the patient’s age, health, and likely lifespan.

What is the A1C of a vet in 2009?

That all depends on how you view the numbers. The VA states that in 2009 most vets, about 85%, have “acceptable” blood sugar control. “Acceptable” is defined by the VA as having an A1C below 9%.

What is the new face of the VA?

The new face of the VA is the community clinic. 1,400 of them, so far. Following a major revamping between 1995 and 2000, the VA changed its focus to “universal primary care.”. It’s paying attention to a wide variety of health conditions, and has been an early adopter of electronic medical records ...

Is Agent Orange covered by vets?

But even for vets not exposed to Agent Orange, diabetes treatment is still a covered benefit as part of overall healthcare. The main difference is that, unlike PWDs whose diabetes may have been caused by service-related exposure to dioxin, non-service related PWDs need to make medicine co-pays.

What percentage of veterans are overweight?

More than 50 percent of veterans receiving medical care from the VA are overweight or obese, data shows. Reducing body fat has been proven to help patients reduce or eliminate their insulin usage and lower their Hemoglobin A1C, or HbA1c, which measures glucose in the blood.

Is the military benefits always changing?

Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by signing up for a free Military.com membership, which will send all the latest benefits straight to your inbox while giving you access to up-to-date pay charts and more.

Does the VA offer diabetes care?

VA also offers diabetes management services including diet counseling, weight loss programs, blood glucose monitoring, and other medical care both through telehealth programs as well as traditional medical means.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by an absolute or relative insulin deficiency resulting in hyperglycemia. Type 1 DM (T1DM) is due to insulin secretion deficiency not resulting from insulin resistance, while type 2 DM (T2DM) is due to insulin resistance that can eventually also result in insulin secretion deficiency. The insulin resistance resulting in T2DM is thought to be due to excess adiposity, especially central distribution of adiposity, but can be due to other factors, such as corticosteroid treatment or Cushing’s syndrome. Gestational di abetes (GDM) is DM present during pregnancy. Other more unusual types of DM also exist, such as maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), latent

Why is the prevalence of diabetes increasing?

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing around the world, mostly due to the increase in obesity and sedentary lifestyles. [8] The number of Americans with diagnosed DM has increased four-fold between 1980 and 2014. [9

What is EBPWG in VA?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Evidence-Based Practice Work Group (EBPWG) was established and first chartered in 2004, with a mission to advise the “…Health Executive Council on the use of clinical and epidemiological evidence to improve the health of the population across the Veterans Health Administration and Military Health System,” by facilitating the development of clinical practice guidelines for the VA and DoD populations.[

How much did DM cost in 2012?

The total costs of diagnosed DM in the U.S. were $245 billion in 2012, including $176 billion for direct medical costs and $69 billion in reduced productivity.[14] Direct costs in the VHA and MHS are not known.

Is 2 FPG a good test?

2 FPG is thepreferred test for diagnosis, but either of the two listed is acceptable. In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia with acute metabolic decompensation, one of these two tests should be done on different days.

What is the VA rating for diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated by the VA under 38 CFR 4.119, Diagnostic Code 7913; under this schedule, Veterans can be assigned a 100%, 60%, 40%, 20% or 10% disability rating. Ratings for diabetes vary among veterans based on the progression or severity of their condition. Below are the criteria VA has set in place to rate veterans with type 2 diabetes:

How to establish service connection for type 2 diabetes?

Another way to establish service connection for type 2 diabetes is on a secondary basis. Secondary service connection means getting service connection for a condition that developed as a result of an already service-connected condition. One of the most common ones that we see is the development of diabetes being caused by sleep disorders or sleep apnea. VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) did a study that showed individuals with sleep apnea or poor sleep quality typically develop diabetes. For sleep apnea specifically, the risk of developing diabetes increases by 78 percent. Those that have trouble sleeping had a 21 percent increase in terms of a risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, there is a significant connection between the two conditions.

What are secondary conditions that can emerge when type 2 diabetes progresses or is uncontrolled?

Below are some secondary conditions that can emerge when type 2 diabetes progresses or is uncontrolled: Diabetic Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) Renal (kidney) dysfunction.

How much does sleep apnea increase the risk of diabetes?

For sleep apnea specifically, the risk of developing diabetes increases by 78 percent. Those that have trouble sleeping had a 21 percent increase in terms of a risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, there is a significant connection between the two conditions.

How many times a year do you need to be hospitalized for ketoacidosis?

Are hospitalized three or more times per year or require “weekly visits to a diabetic care provider” due to hypoglycemic reactions or episodes of ketoacidosis; Are experiencing progressive weight loss or strength reduction; OR complications that “would be compensable if separately evaluated.”.

Why does diabetes cause increased blood sugar?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that causes a person to experience increased blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance or deficiency. The severity of this condition varies on a case-by-case basis. Some people are able to control their type 2 diabetes with a restricted diet, whereas others may find it difficult to control blood sugar ...

When did veterans get presumptive service connection in Thailand?

Importantly, veterans who served on or near the perimeter of certain Thailand military bases between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may also be eligible for presumptive service connection if other requirements are met. This is not an all-encompassing list of qualified veterans.

How to get a VA disability?

You can also download a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) to capture essential information for evaluating disability compensation and/or pension claims (diabetes is included in the “Endocrinological” section).

What is the rating for service connected diabetes mellitus?

There are currently four levels of ratings for service-connected diabetes mellitus; your monthly payment increases with each level, and once you are past a 10% rating, it also considers any dependents: Level 1: Diabetes is manageable by a restricted diet only. Rating is 10%.

What is the most common disability for veterans?

Diabetes mellitus – also known as “Type II” or “adult onset” diabetes – is a growing health issue among U.S. veterans. In fact, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently listed type II diabetes as the number 9 most-prevalent disability claim among compensation recipients, with more than 431,000 veterans receiving some level ...

What is the level 1 diabetes?

Level 1: Diabetes is manageable by a restricted diet only. Rating is 10%

Can you get DIC if you are married to a Vietnam veteran?

If you are the spouse of an in-country Vietnam veteran who died from complications of diabetes type II, you may be you may be eligible for Dependents and Indemnity Compensation ( DIC) or Parents' DIC.

Can you get diabetes while on active duty?

If the diabetes is diagnosed while on active duty, or within a year of his or her Expiration of Term of Service (ETS), it may be easier to make the connection. Personal records may be sufficient to determine the diagnosis of diabetes; otherwise, It may require a VA examination.

Can a veteran get disability for diabetes type 2?

Like other VA disabilities, to receive disability compensation, a veteran’s diabetes type II diagnosis must be proven to be connected to his or her service in the Armed Forces, via a letter – or “nexus” – from an expert or physician citing that the condition is “ more likely than not” connected to military service .

Diabetes Mellitus

• If you developed diabetes mellitus (type II) and were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service in Vietnam, you do not have to prove a connection between the disease and your military service to be eligible to receive VA disability compensation. VA presumes a service-connected relationship exists, based on the eligibilityc...

See more on benefits.va.gov

Eligibility

Evidence Needed

Retroactive Benefits

Service-Connected Death Benefits

How to Apply

More Information