This decision is representative of the only disease (PCT) which is common to both Agent Orange and Hepatitis C. Up to 33% of Hep C patients also have this skin disease. It is difficult to get SC for it via AO because you must manifest symptoms of it within one year of leaving the RVN. I have it and my doctors misdiagnosed it in the 70s and 80s as heat blisters and even subcutaneous Staph/Strep infections. Nobody told us about AO until the late 80’s so it’s one of those VA “Not It” diseases.Who has medical records dating back to 1975? Anecdotal evidence from Project CHECO reports is starting to reveal AO usage on the DMZ in Korea, perimeter usage @ Korat and Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as well as usage on Okinawa. I’m sure this is just a coincidence but I personally can say from first hand experience that vegetation around the perimeters of Udorn, Ubon, Takhli, Ko Kha, and O/L C, Chiang Mai Airport(T-11) had a nasty habit of dying or simply not growing very well despite great year round growing conditions. One would have to subscribe to a Conspiracy Theory to entertain the thought that the Air Force wasn’t being forthcoming with the public about where it used this defoliant.

In addition, you will get a big bang out of the VAMC doc. who ascribes HCV to IVDU and “deep kissing”. No. I won’t go there, gentlemen. Besides, I’m sure the doc. meant deep “french” kissing, as we used to refer to it back then.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/Files3/0724747.txt

If you suffer from PCT and HCV and have been denied SC for it, by all means seek out a nexus letter from your doctor and file a claim. If you get phlebotomies to control it, you are also entitled to a 40% rating for that separately under Diagnostic Code 7704( Polycythemia Vera). It is the only DC dealing with phlebotomies in Part 4 of 38 CFR and will be awarded.