Question: How does a veteran qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation for diabetes?

Answer: 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. In 2001, veterans who served in Vietnam and later developed adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes became eligible for disability compensation on a presumption that the condition is connected to their military service.

This presumptive policy is an outgrowth of research into the potential effects of Agent Orange.

VA diabetes care on an outpatient basis is multifocused: patient education; health care provider education and guidelines; epidemiological assessment; quality of care; and basic science, clinician and health services research.

For more information on diabetes, go to: www1.va.gov/diabetes. Or contact the VA at (800) 827-1000.

Q: When a veteran sells the property to someone who will assume the existing VA loan, is the veteran released automatically from personal liability for repayment of the loan?

A: No. If the loan closed after March 1, 1988, the lender or VA must be notified and requested to approve the assumer and grant the veteran release from liability. If the loan closed prior to March 1, 1988, the loan may be assumed without approval from VA or the lender.

However, the veteran is strongly encouraged to request a release of liability from VA in order to avoid owing a debt to the government if the loan assumer (or a subsequent assumer) fails to pay the loan.

For more information on VA home loans, contact the VA at (800) 827-1000, or check out the VA Web site : www.homeloans.va.gov.