Author Archives: Laura

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About Laura

NW Vermont.

Training slides from Purple Heart.org on Hearing loss

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Laura

I came across a nice group of concise slides to share while researching Hensley v. Brown, 5  (1993).  But first, here is the definition of what is considered a current hearing disability.  38 CFR 3.385 – Disability due to impaired … Continue reading →

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C & P Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Exam

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Laura

My DH had his first C & P Exam last week in a VA-contracted independent audiologist.  The exam was cursory at best.  We’ll be writing for our one free copy of the exam since the VA has a duty to … Continue reading →

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Video: Palliative care in end stage liver disease

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Laura

I’ve read that patients with liver diseases are not always given palliative care early enough.  This sensitive 15-minute talk was given at UC San Diego Medical Center (10/12) by Julia Cain.  Two hepatitis (HCV Cirrhosis & HBV HCC) patients’ experiences … Continue reading →

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Will veterans have to buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in January 2014?

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Laura

There are many uncertainties with the ACA however the answer appears to be NO, eligible veterans (as individuals) can opt VHA without a tax penalty.  However, family members must be enrolled in a government or private health insurance plan.  Why? The VA … Continue reading →

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HCV testing results in Exeter (NH) one year into the crisis

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Laura

The country became aware of  the drug diversion case against David Kwiatkowski (DK) in New Hampshire last year.  The investigation then spread to seven other states because he was a traveling technician.  About 43 cases of HCV nationwide have been … Continue reading →

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Kudos for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Laura

As another Memorial Day approaches, I am glad to see that this group is again including deceased Vietnam Veterans who died as a result of the war from AO, HCV and other physical and emotional wounds.  (Last year’s post..) If … Continue reading →

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Update: Big HCV trouble for dental patients in Tulsa

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Laura

Becoming infected with blood-borne pathogens like HIV from medical procedures is extremely rare says the CDC: “Although HIV transmission is possible in health care settings, it is extremely rare. Careful practice of infection control, including universal precautions (i.e., using protective practices … Continue reading →

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African American veterans have the highest prevalence of HCV in VHA

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Laura

In the 2006 article Hepatitis C Infection in African Americans Brian Perlman writes “Although African Americans represent only 12% of the US population, they represent ∼22% of the estimated Americans with chronic HCV infection;” and “The African American population in the United … Continue reading →

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Meet Ruth and Astra, military working dogs, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 28-29, 2013

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Laura

“Staff Sgt. Jonathan Cooper, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group Military Working Dog handler, and Military Working Dog Astra take a break from their Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device patrol….Over the past four months, the MWD team has swept more than 15,000 … Continue reading →

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Sobering future HCV mortality chart

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Laura

This chart is from a series of lecture slides from the University of Louisville containing information adapted from “Davis et al, Liver Transplant, 2003; 9:331-338.” The HCV death projections are a lot worse when patients are untreated. Public health officials … Continue reading →

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