Here’s a handy one to have in your notebook. For all of you who got clobbered by bug juice, here’s the definitive “How I did it” from Don Diego of San Diego. The Don has had a slight loss of quality of life following his “cure”. vA has munificently agreed to give him 40% for puréed brain syndrome. They agreed to some ,but not other, things.  Far be it from me to spoil a predictable vA decision.

Since the effective date of service connection, hepatitis B has been asymptomatic.

For the period from June 28, 2006, through April 30, 2007, the Veteran was undergoing interferon therapy for hepatitis C which resulted in medically established side effects causing symptoms comparable to daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly.

Now, to make this work and put all the cars on the right ferry boat. they have to back out of DC 7345 (Hepatitis B) and motor on over to DC 7354 (Hepatitis C). This is to keep the accountants happy. We wouldn’t want to allot any funds to the wrong category like Karaoke machines or helicopter rides.

Since the effective date of service connection, the criteria for a compensable evaluation for hepatitis B are not met, but the diagnostic code is changed.

For the period from June 28, 2006, through April 30, 2007, only, the criteria for a compensable evaluation of 40 percent are met, and the diagnostic code is changed.

The Don was dx’d  and rated with HBV but now they are “fixing it” and calling it what it is-HCV. The bug juice fried him so he gets bus money and a free CATV/cell phone/ hi-speed internet bundle with some chump change left over. I’m sure he’d rather have his health back but we can’t always get what we want.