Applying for Hep C?

Registered: 03/07/11
Posts: 8

	03/18/11	#1

Hi: I want to know is there has been any case that have connected gonorrhea to hepc acquired during service in Vietnam. It was treated there and it should be in medical records. It could be possible? Thx __________________ prsat@excite.com
Edit \| Delete

NOD

Manager
Registered: 11/22/08
Posts: 654

	03/19/11	#2

Dear sir, In answer to your question of the probability of contracting Hepatitis C via a gonorrhea vector, the answer is a resounding yes. See the following cite from BVA archives. While you cannot use this as a precedent-setting case, it shows you how it is done and why the Vet was successful. Since you have this evidence of infection and treatment in service, this will result in a win for you absent any other intercurrent behavior such as IV drug abuse following service that has been documented in private or VA medical records. A liver biopsy usually shows the degree of destruction of the liver thus giving a chronological date for the infection. A stage 2-4 infection (Metavir scale) usually indicates an older infection date of 30 + years. This will be an easy case to win if you do it right. You also will have to get a good nexus letter from your doctor that succinctly implicates the STD as the disease vector. http://www4.va.gov/vetapp03/files/0314143.txt On the other hand is the decision below. Here, the Veteran contends his gonorrhea in service is the cause of his hepatitis. However, he has no nexus from an M.D. to substantiate his theory. Additionally, he has a history of drug abuse which really puts a fork in it. Do you see the difference? Vet A above was suitably prepared and had supportive evidence to buttress his contentions. Vet B below has none of these and carries the onus of a drug abuser which is willful misconduct. While we feel tremendous compassion for this Vet, it is unfortunate that he will not win. Life choices are determinative factors in what happens to you. If you choose to venture into this arena, you cannot later blame anything or anyone for the outcome. SSD is available to those who do, but VA compensation is right out. http://www4.va.gov/vetapp03/files/0302697.txt We wish you Godspeed in your claims process and thank you for you unswerving support for America as a serviceman. Your unselfish contribution to our freedom has now put you in an untenable predicament. You deserve compensation and we sincerely hope you succeed.
Edit \| Delete

prvet

Registered: 03/07/11
Posts: 8

	03/19/11	#3

Thanks for your fast response and help. __________________ prsat@excite.com
Edit \| Delete

marlinanddiane
Registered: 05/20/10
Posts: 27

	05/01/11	#4

Been going to va since 2007, two for them to find out I had Hep C, Chronic, Was in Germany in Va war 1971- 1974. A mechanic, cut hand daily blood contact with rags, but had alot of dental work, and stomach trouble, then, apprentic surgery. In hospital 37 days and send home for healing. My records are lost for the surgery just the dates I was in the hospital. I have such brain fog, can’t remember alot, but family member told me I was sick with a infection and got a blood product. The va doctor, said he would write a nexus for me, the only problem, is he just doesn’t do it. Been waiting for 6 months. My records is check that I had stomach, liver, appendix problems on exit of my military physical. What shall I do, my time in running out to appeal the claim, waiting on doctor. Do you think I have a chance. Also on interfron 6 months and had to stop treatment because of lungs infections, and hospitalize for infection. Now having serious brain issue, going to the neuro guy Tuesday, they did a MRI with dye. Extreme brain fog, and balance problems. HELP, someone tell me what to do.
Edit \| Delete

NOD

Manager
Registered: 11/22/08
Posts: 654

	05/01/11	#5

I can tell you why the doctor won’t write your nexus, Marlin. Somehow you’ve gotten the sort end of a shitty stick. It’s the Catch 22 problem. You probably got the Hep from service. The Army has somehow lost or misplaced the records. I guess you’ve already tried the NPRC in St. Louis so I won’t insult your intelligence by asking if you have asked for them there. Besides, VA would have asked for them, too. My suggestion is to write a letter to the Army and ask them to cough them up. I’d also shoot a letter off to the base hospital in Germany and ask them WTF? The last shot is to call/write the hospital where you recovered stateside. If they airlifted you back here, your medrecs were in a sleeve hanging off your stretcher. No way are they going to send you back without them. They exist, but where in the hell they put them is the $64 question. One last shot is to file a FOIA with the Army and ask them to cough them up. And please call your Congressman or Senator and ask for help from them. Each one has a Congressional liaison who does this from 0800-1600 every day for a living. Make the lumpa lumpas earn their keep. I do not know how long ago you filed the appeal, but they are currently taking 4 months just to package them up and send them to the BVA. From there its about two years to a docket date. You could get this stuff by then. I know this sounds like a bunch of hopeless advice, but it is what I would do if faced with this predicament.I know all about the transfusion issue. Mine evaporated ,too. Thank God the GSW is so visible. The VA doc is gun shy about simply transcribing what you say happened and then signing his name to it. He wants to see some kind of evidence, too. I can understand that. It wouldn’t cut any mustard with the VA anyway without his seeing some contemporary Medrecs. VA calls that subjective history and hucks it in the circular file. One avenue a lot of Vets overlook is the buddy route. If you can remember anyone you served with that you can contact for a “buddy statement” that will support your assertions, you may certainly go that route. What most Vets do not realize is that their lay testimony about events is given far more weight than they realize unless it is inherently incredible. Anything you can glean from your five senses is permissible evidence. You cannot strap on the Ben Casey jacket and opine about medical matters though. If you were jaundiced, you can sure report that your skin looked like OJ (not the football player). Your appendectomy scar is further evidence to support your claim. A ruptured appendix is often accompanied by sepsis and surely requires a transfusion in many instances. I would ask any Vets who read this post who are adroit at computerese to help by searching for your buddies if you can give us names to post. You can also ask the Army to help find them but I’m betting they aren’t going to start looking very soon. Last, but not least, you can petition the BVA for more time to prove your case. This is something best done early so as not to surprise them at the last moment. Tell them you are still trying to develop evidence, Marlin. I know there are others far more savvy than me that can help find someone. I’m a computer idiot so I am useless.
Edit \| Delete

hcvet
Moderator
Registered: 11/22/08
Posts: 48

	05/02/11	#6

marlinanddiane if you have your service med records, even if it doesn’t state what happened, contact Dr. Ben Cecil and tell him HCVets sent you and it’s urgent. here is his info bdceci01@iglou.com It will take a few days, but he’ll answer. Hepatitis Doctor- Dr. Ben Cecil is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology. In addition, he trained 2 years in pathology at Duke University Medical Center and a physician for 25 years. Dr. Cecil has the highest clear rate with in the Veterans Administration Medical Centers because he offers an individualized method of treatment
Edit \| Delete

marlinanddiane
Registered: 05/20/10
Posts: 27

	06/10/11	#7

Well Friends, Today I did a search on Hep C claim for the Nashville, Tn board. There is not one claim that won out of this office. I quess I’m under fight to the end on this matter. I pray and hope I can put together a strong claim. Any suggest ion for this close mind office. I truly appreciatate all of your help.
Edit \| Delete

squid_with_dragon

Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 132

06/10/11

Hi, How are ya! 🙂

My claim for Hep C is similiar to yours in a few ways. First, I was injured overseas and treated in a military hospital overseas, which was the source of my infection. Second my, claim was denied by the VARO because they couldn’t find my military service medical records. I too had a VSO that turned out to be about as useful as fangs on a chicken.

I don’t think your VARO is much different than mine or any other, just that it seems that some are worse about processing HCV claims than others. I wouldn’t worry about what your VARO does or doesn’t do because you won’t be able to fix them anyway. One thing is for certain, this boat won’t sail without my military medrecs showing my hospital stay and my treatments while I was there.

Ludy luck smiled on me big time when I found my military hospital records at the bottom of a filing cabinet. I have no idea how long they have been there, but I have them! However It would be best if I have the entire enchilada for as long as I was active duty if I can find them. I did get my military personnel records from St Louis. Because I also need to show that I was a good boy and to show that I was attached to the command that I said I was at the time.

VA will help you search for your military medrecs if you dial this number: 1-888-533-4558

You will need to supply your claim number when you call. I don’t know if they will be able to help you locate them or not, but they might know who the baton was passed to. She gave me a number in Millington to try (I was Navy, Army is different) but so far I have not been able to get anything yet. Good luck! 🙂