Gober’s decision following the latest in a series of reports by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) examining the impact of herbicide exposure on veteran’s health. The most recent IOM report, released last month, included a review of research efforts by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Air Force. Based on this new information, IOM researchers found "limited/suggestive" evidence of an association between the chemicals used in herbicides during the Vietnam War and adult-onset (Type II)  diabetes." This is a significant milestone in our ongoing effort to keep America’s promise to her veterans, especially those who suffer from this debilitating and life-altering disease," said Gober. "It also validates the process we’ve established to ensure decisions of this magnitude are based on the medical and scientific standards required by the law."

VA officials cautioned it will take several months to write the rules before Vietnam veterans with diabetes can begin applying for disability compensation. They can, however, enroll in VA’s health care system immediately and begin receiving the care they need. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to process the hormone insulin. More than 90 percent of the 16 million diabetics in the United States are categorized as Type-II, which occurs primarily in adults.

Approximately 16 percent of veterans receiving care in VA medical facilities have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death and the leading cause of blindness in the United States. The number of diseases VA has recognized as being associated with Agent Orange exposure expanded considerably during the 1990s. The following conditions are now considered service—connected for Vietnam veterans: chloracne (a skin disorder), porphyria cutanea tarda, acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy (a nerve disorder), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer and respiratory cancers (including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea and bronchus). In addition, Vietnam veterans’ children with the birth defect spina bifida are eligible for certain benefits and services.

VA already grants service-connection for diabetes when the diabetes developed during—or was otherwise related to—military service. "Service-connection" is necessary to receive VA disability compensation and may place the veteran in a higher priority classification for VA health care. Gober’s decision paves the way for that designation to be applied to any veteran who served in-theater during the Vietnam War and subsequently develops diabetes, without the diabetic veteran having to prove that Agent Orange caused the disease.