In 2022, 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population had diabetes. Diabetes, particularly Type II diabetes can be easy to ignore, particularly when you’re feeling well. Everyone knows that diabetes affects your blood sugar levels. However, diabetes can also affect multiple organs and can cause severe, life-threatening complications. Some of these potential complications include:
- Heart and blood vessel disease
- Nerve damage (neuropathy), particularly pain, numbness, and tingling in your hands and feet
- Kidney damage (nephropathy)
- Eye damage (retinopathy)
- Foot damage, including amputation
- Hearing impairment
- Skin conditions, such as bacterial and fungal infections
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes is one of the most common Agent Orange-related illnesses that we see. Not only can Vietnam veterans receive presumptive benefits for diabetes related to Agent Orange, but they can also receive benefits for secondary conditions caused by diabetes, such as peripheral neuropathy and kidney damage. The PACT Act expanded the locations for presumptive Agent Orange exposure to include Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, and Johnston Atoll.
If you suffer from diabetes and any of its related illnesses and served in Vietnam, on a ship within 12 nautical miles of the Vietnamese shore, or any of the other expressly acknowledged locations such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, and Johnston Atoll, you may be entitled to presumptive Agent Orange Benefits. Contact the experienced disability attorneys at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today, where we have been helping claimants get their disability for over 30 years throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana.