I leave you with this one tonight. Vet goes to Subic Bay. Being typical Navy, he cavorts with prostitutes and gets tattoos. Vet has HCV  flu-type symptoms several times in Subic Bay after cavorting exercises. Vet comes down with HCV symptoms of fatigue and malaise  in 1998 (right on time-25 years). vA examiner, who has extensive clinical experience doing  B/P and  rectal temperature readings opines thusly:

In this regard, the Board observes that the Veteran was afforded a VA examination in October 2008 in order to determine the current nature and etiology of his hepatitis C. At such time, the examiner noted that the Veteran’s June 1973 enlistment examination showed no tattoos, whereas his March 1974 discharge examination showed that he had received tattoos. The VA examiner found that no hepatitis or other liver conditions were noted during the Veteran’s active duty, and that he was initially diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1998. The examiner observed that the Veteran reported that the onset of his actual illness came in 1998, at which time he had fatigue and no energy, and became unable to do his job normally. The examiner further noted the Veteran’s responses that he had obtained tattoos during and after service, and that he had engaged in high risk sexual practices during service. The examiner also noted the Veteran’s response that he had not had any blood exposure. The examiner diagnosed the Veteran with hepatitis C. Etiologically, the VA examiner opined that the Veteran’s hepatitis C was less likely than not (less than 50/50 probability) caused by or a result of his in-service events or risk factors. The examiner based this conclusion on a review of medical literature and records, his own clinical experience, the absence of any diagnosis of or treatment for hepatitis C or any other liver condition during active duty, the Veteran’s admission of receiving tattoos after service (as well as during service), the fact that his other risk factors between his release from active duty in 1974 and his initial diagnosis of hepatitis C in 1998 are unknown, and the fact that his 1988 abnormal liver function lab test is not specific to hepatitis C. 

Well, shoot, Pilgrim. How can you argue with that insightful, well-reasoned theory? No HCV in the 1973 records is a smoking gun. That abnormal LFT in 88? Why, no HCV flies on him.  He should have waited until 1989 for the definitive Northern Blot Test. If you didn’t know any better , you’d think they are pulling this Vet’s leg because he’s from St. Pete. Newsflash. He isn’t the first to get this “unknown risks after service”  tar and feather approach. Remember, absence of evidence in vAland is negative evidence. We all cheat, lie and dissemble in hopes of getting on this Gravy Train. Look at the benefits package.  Scratch that. Look at the free medical for anything you are service connected for. You pay for the rest out of pocket but it’s chump change-just like the compensation payment. If you’re really disabled, the free $10,000 whole life 401K is the ultimate golden parachute. Where could you get a better deal than this? Be fair. Aside from never getting ill in the military, you’d have to continue to work at a comfortable wage with a nice medical benefits package at a real hospital. Getting an appointment would not entail waiting for 3 months but if its free so what’s the bitch?