We have a member in the Philippines- Manila-to be precise. No, he’s not a survivor of the Second World War He was a naturalized citizen who signed up and fought in the SEA conflict. After he got out, he opted to leave LA and moved back. He has filed for hep. via the jetguns and just natural exposure inVietnam. I suspect he’ll win on the drunken tattoo in Saigon ploy though. He had none going in on his entrance exam and one documented coming out. He was denied based on no nexus so he’s in search of that right now. What blows me away is that there’s still a VARO (of 57 in the world) in Manila. I realize we won the Philippines from Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898. We’re still paying a tax on our telephones for that war in case you were not aware. I guess some wars are more expensive than others. Seems we would have paid that one off by now. I  also wonder how long it will be before VA downsizes and closes their office there.

Manuel (not his real name) is having a tough go of it getting the nexus. I noticed this with another vet we are helping in Puerto Rico, too. I don’t get it. Why is it so damn difficult to get a nexus out of anyone? Seems like you could just cart your records down to Dr. Kildare and say “Hey, check this out. If you believe that this is plausible and I’m not wet all over, would you be so kind as to sign this letter for me? I promise no one’s going to question your bona fides or sue you. In fact, you’ll never hear from me or VA again. If I need to pay you something to perform this function, I would be happy to.” We shouldn’t have to be at the mercy of the VA examiner to give us a winner. As most know, that only happens about 10% of the time.

In the United Soviet Socialist Republic of Washington, I can go to an ARNP and say “my hep. makes me sick and nauseous” and give them $100 for a “marijuana letter”.  That gives me a prescription for the pot.  In fact it’s getting cutthroat now. They’re running recession specials for $89.95 at the pot “pharmacies”.  Last year it was $200 for one. I guess what I ought to do is set up a “clinic” and have all you Vets who need nexus letters write in for one. I’m sure I can get some underemployed Dr. or ARNP/PA to do this on the side in the evenings.  In fact, I can run specials around the holidays and for twofers. I’m seeing dollar signs already. We can do it a la Occupy Wall Street mode. The 1%ers have to subsidize the 99ers.  The problem is I don’t know any rich Vets.  It’s an oxymoron. Nevertheless, this bears investigation. My hope is to find a doctor who would do it for free for hep. Vets and not everyone with hammer toes and hemorrhoids.  This may prove to be a seminal moment for HCVets should we succeed. I will report back to you.  Just to clear the air, should I succeed in this, any fee would be strictly between you, the Vet, and the doctor or medical professional. I jest when I say I would be the intervenor.  I have no desire to benefit financially from another’s misfortune, nor would I.