Care for diabetes available for vets

Answer: To qualify for VA disability compensation, most veterans must have a diagnosis of diabetes and evidence that it began or was aggravated during active duty or within one year of release from duty. VA is paying disability compensation to more than 70,000 veterans with diabetes, many of them Vietnam veterans. VA has made diabetes care a priority ever since it began treating chronic diseases on an outpatient basis several years ago. Its emphasis is multi-focused: patient education; health care provider education and guidelines; epidemiological assessment; quality of care; and basic science, clinician and health services research. Nearly all veterans with diabetes are men; 2.4 percent are women. More information on diabetes can be found at www.va.gov/health/diabetes/default.htm. If you need information, contact the VA at (800) 827-1000.

Q: As a female veteran, I was wondering what VA services are available to women veterans.

A: A full range of medical services are available, from health promotion and disease prevention to specific health care, covering hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity and limited infertility (excluding In-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical, telephone triage, emergency and substance-abuse treatment, mental health, domiciliary, rehabilitation and long-term care. For more information on care for female veterans, call either the VA at (800) 827-1000, or the VA Medical Center at 433-0600.