From Azeejensmom:

My husband was recently service connected for HepC after almost 8 years from the date of filing …. Ended up at the BVA 2 years ago, sent back to AMC for further development, etc and so on ….. Seriously folks, we have no comment regarding any Veteran using a Veterans Service Organization BUT ….in my husbands case, the ball was dropped from a 10 story building.  The only thing the VSO did was to file the initial claim, the DRO,  NOD and Form 9 in a timely manner.   Not to burst anyones VSO bubble ….. when we arrived at the hearing 2 years ago almost to this very exact date, his now former VSO hadn’t forwarded the updated evidence to DC.

Bottom line is we are not intelligent super hero-minded folks.  I read all the info I could, I asked questions, we found the missing piece of the puzzle NEXUS-NEXUS-NEXUS and once that tidbit was added to the mountains of evidence in his favor ….. BVA made the correct determination and he won his service connection for Hepatitis C.

It can be done ….. we are not VSO’s here at HCVets, just folks with experience and knowledge gained from those who came before us.

60% service connection for HepC is a Hallelujah moment … should have and will be a 100% when the dust settles, adding that to the 70% he was already sc for adds up to 90% via VA math.

Please do not get discouraged, if you have a strong, viable case, don’t give up …. it’s hard to do decipher alot of the the rules and regs on your own, so for some, if you are lucky to have found a great VSO, stick with it.  If not, you can do it on your own ….. ask questions, read and yes I know first hand how difficult it can be to figure it all out while your on treatment …. my husband went through 3 rounds of the IFN and FOR HIM it did didly squat.

I remember all too well when he was first diagnosed in late ’01 – ’02 ….. my gosh, the horror we both felt … what do we do now ????   We can’t tell anyone …. this is the plague with a Capital P – NOW, I tell anyone who will listen, not our story per se but that this is a silent epidemic ….. it’s not the Plague, educate family and friends … anyone who will listen about how to avoid the possibility of exposure …. there are probably a zillion other critters crawling around we know nothing about in the year 2010 ….. who knows.

As hard as it is to stay positive, take it from one who has lived it…..you must stay focused and positive.   The ultimate win-win is to rid your body of this virus.  And, if along the way you have your ducks in a row, all quaking he same song and your claim is a viable one …. you will prevail.

There is a wealth of information available to you on this web-site …. read through it, write down questions, be proactive, if you have questions, ask them …..  This has been an almost 8 year journey for my husband and I – it takes time.    But if your i’s are dotted and t’s crossed … you will prevail with a valid claim.