NPRC INPATIENT RECORDS FILES

Posted on February 18, 2013 by asknod
You would hope for this

You would hope for this

Over the last five years I have been asked by many Vets about how to obtain records that have gone missing. Some of you are unable to pursue a claim because it appears there is no record of you existing at the NPRS. Nothing. No medical, military or even a suggestion that you served. For many, that is the unfortunate end of the road. Or is it?

The military has an interesting way of filing records. If you were an outpatient, a file was kept up front to be pulled when you arrived for Sick Call in the morning. Since you never got sick at night, this really worked well. In the off chance you injured yourself after 1730 but before 0700, and you were stationed in a civilized (read stateside or Europe) area, you were invariable admitted overnight and departed the next morning if it was no more than an acute event that resolved itself via hangover or sutures.

On the other hand, if you were really sick and were admitted to the Institute of Medical Learning, your records ended up in a completely different file. This, of course, is the in-patient file and was completely divorced from the outpatient one. To add to this confusion, at the end of your service, infrequently your in, as well as outpatient, files were never transferred to that Warehouse with no sprinkler system in St. Louis.

Let’s look at how you can find some of these items. Medical records have a wealth of information that is more revealing in light of newer medical discoveries. Thus, admittance for flu-like symptoms for a week following a jetgun cattle drive is evidence (plausible) of an acute reaction to the HCV virus. If it included blood labs showing a noticeable spike in your SGOT, you have some useful evidence a doctor would use to opine that you contracted the dragon at that time.

Usually the NPRC has these inpatient files. They’re not associated with your outpatient stuff that gets shipped back to your VARO. They are filed by hospital. In addition, each hospital folder is arranged chronologically. This may mean a trip to the hypnotist to regress you back to the event in order to determine the approximate date. Once you ascertain that, you may delve deeper and request it based on those narrower parameters.

Not wishing to denigrate the good names of the personnel who work there, I merely mention in passing that they are measured as most government workers are, for productivity versus baksheesh paid. The reason for this is twofold.  Having statisticians creates more jobs and lowers unemployment. More paper is needed so more loggers are employed, too. Again-more jobs. It’s a win-win deal. The workers at the NPRC are thus motivated to supply 7 or 8 request a day for DD214s but leave the real search work undone.  If you keep on sending in FOIAs, you will notice they begin to find more and more. If you get site-specific and tell them when and where they might find it, the odds increase dramatically that your seach(es) will bear fruit.

If, indeed, the NPRC has none of this inpatient info, then the search needs to move to the last duty station. This is usually the winning ticket if there is going to be one. Remember also, that this is predicated on the dual filing system discussed above. Failing that, and excluding the Korean and early Vietnam war era Vets whose files were burned up or destroyed in the 1973 fire, the search may go cold.

I find this is of little consolation to those who are left out. It’s a lotto under the best of circumstances and many lose who shouldn’t. Many more lose due to the inefficiency of having several different files. We don’t have a repair order for this other than what I report here.

Last but not least, always remember that you get only what you ask for. I had to go back and query them for my military records in 2009. Oddly, in 1989, VA was sent my entire medical outpatient SMRs and NPRC kept no copies of them. Fortunately I rescued them from my C files before they inadvertently migrated to the shredder room.

reality?

reality?

Posted in C-Files and RBAs, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VETERANS POPULATION STATISTICS

Posted on February 18, 2013 by asknod

Here’s an eye opener for all of us. It won’t help with your claims but might explain why no one answers or the landline has been disconnected when you call one of your war buddies.

Posted in vA news, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Just the records please…

Posted on February 16, 2013 by azeejensmom

The importance of obtaining copies of private medical records from providers while you are being treated can’t be stressed enough. Ever wonder why a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or the VA will have you sign a “Release to Obtain Information” at the initiation of the claim process and at various other times such as when a “new claim” is filed? Let me share a story, some have heard this one or, walked the same path and, some may be hearing it for the first time. When my husband filed his initial claim back in 2003 he signed a slew of these releases at the request of his former VSO. The entire claim package is sent to the Regional Office who then sends these releases to every doctor you authorized the VA to obtain information from about your medical care.

Many doctors hold onto these releases because they know being paid for the time to copy records, the envelope, postage, nada isn’t going to happen from the VA because they are not required to pay for them. Luck would have it if your health care provider is either a Veteran themselves or a kind-hearted soul who is willing to go the extra mile for patients; this is not always the case. One of the several releases originally signed by my husband was returned to the VARO stating “never saw this patient.” Interestingly, I had a receipt showing our payment to said doctor who then agreed to release the records to our hot little hands directly.

Which led me to think….hmmm, if this doc wasn’t willing to pay a staff member to copy the records, what other doctors might not be willing to copy records, either in a reasonable period of time or, at all? That was the all-important day the decision was made to obtain all private medical records ourselves. Every provider who we have requested records from has been more than happy to provide them to us and when the doctor is told why we need them, they are even more than happy to mark it “no charge.” They know the VA isn’t going to pay their office for the time to copy patient medrecs. It’s a much different situation if an attorney requests records, they know they will be paid and many docs request payment before they send the records out. Many docs agree, why not give them to the patient when the patient requests them? And, let me say this…the in-between time is cut drastically when the patient requests the records verses the VA requesting them. VA isn’t going to wait forever to receive medical records, and if they aren’t going to pay the docs to copy them, what is the incentive to the docs to pay their staff do so in a timely manner? Without evidence to back up your claim, your claim is not worth (as AskNod describes it) the 81/2 x 11 blank sheet it’s printed on. Get those records yourself, be kind and courteous and here is a little tip:

It also helps if your doctor is a Veteran which forms a personal connection between patient and doctor. Wearing a baseball cap that proudly states, “Vietnam Veteran” or “US Marines” helps out also ~ I don’t know why, but in all the years my husband has seen one particular provider (who is also a Veteran)…the docs compassion for care instantly changed when my husband started wearing one of his many caps to appointments. Nothing wrong with a subtle reminder about the connection the doctor and patient share – they both served their country after all.

If you have a pending or new claim, it is strongly recommended that you, the claimant, obtain your own medical records evidence to submit to VA (make sure you keep a copy) if you know the VARO doesn’t have them in their hot hands…why wait for VA or anyone else to obtain something for you…? You are your strongest advocate and no one (except perhaps your significant other) has a more vested interest in your claim. This eliminates several months of delay while the VA tries to obtain your private medical records. If you can, do it yourself and save those several months of waiting. Another big plus is if you send them yourself to the VARO with a “Certified Mail/Return Receipt Requested” – you know what date they arrived at the VARO.

Not all medical providers are as willing to help out a Veteran, so please don’t feel left out because of our good fortune in obtaining my dear husband’s medical records; we would have gladly paid for them if requested. The assurance of knowing the VARO would have the evidence needed in front of them for proper adjudication of his claim was far too important; without it, there was no chance at all.

“Nuff,’ said.

Ed. note: After many years, we have Azeejensmom back. She, as most may not recall, set sail on her free college education provided by Uncle Sam in the DEA grant. She’s been at it for several years now. Along the way, she has helped her husband attain much including SMC S and continues to fight for more. Tombo was one of the few (3) who had to go to DC to get his ticket punched by VA. They weren’t granting in Seattle and Azeejensmom was still learning this in 2008 when our paths crossed. They live near us (relatively) and we are fast friends to no small amazement. We have much in common and little discord. I think the most strident Tombo has been with me was once he asked whether I were playing by summer rules, winter rules or  some new classification of heretofore unknown “Blizzard” rules that might explain my improving my lie so drastically.

Ladies and gentlemen Vets, please welcome her. She has as many years under her belt as I do and a much higher rating that continues to go up. Look up tenacious in the Seattle VARO dictionary and I’m sure you’ll find a picture of her.

 

Posted in Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

YOU HAD ONE JOB

Posted on February 16, 2013 by asknod

Member Tom sends this in. I love it. Everyone trains to be good at what they do. Everyone practices it if they don’t do it every day. Eventually you get reaaaaally good at it and really don’t need to practice anymore. You’ve graduated to Jedi Master and the Force is strong in you.

one-jobs-7

one-job-1

one-job-8

You no longer need a minder.

one-jobs-5

one-job-2

one-job-4

You had to get it right. You were allowed to cheat and use Phonics if you wanted to.

one-jobs-2

one-jobs-6

one-jobs-4

one-jobs-10

There was no pressure to get it done like yesterday

one-jobs-8

one-job-11

one-jobs-11

They made you manager of the new store and all you had to do was get it right. Keep the fish alive. Check to make sure all the new merchandise was correctly labeled and priced…

one-jobs-1one-jobs-0one-job-0one-job-3one-job-6one-job-7

You were entrusted with the new ad campaign and decided to prove your product floated, or was bulletproof. Field tested-good to go.

one-jobs-9one-jobs-3

Don’t all of you feel immensely better knowing others make mistakes worse than you?

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

VA TRAINING LETTER 00-06

Posted on February 16, 2013 by asknod

images

Many of you write me and ask why it’s so difficult to get secondaries to DM2 approved (or recognized) by the VA . Well, duh. They don’t want to pay you, pilgrim. As I continue to point out, that’s what insurance companies do if at all possible. And when you’re the only insurance company in town, this is easy.

Thus, it behooves one, as I have always suggested, to use the system they employ against them. This is where their very own training letter comes in handy. 2000-06 is a compendium of all the diseases and afflictions that are part and parcel of DM2. VA will deny that they have anything to do with your individual claim but here they acknowledge it and attempt to acquaint their raters with the phenomenon. By using this and quoting from it, you prove that you didn’t arrive in America recently on the USS Mayflower nor were you born last night.

TL 00-06 has something for everyone. Scroll down to find that  essential ingredient you need to buttress your contentions. VA cannot very well argue it is not pertinent or only applicable to someone else’s claim and therefore not precedental. In this business, you take your victories where you can find them.

VA_Training_Letter_00-06

In addition to that, I was sent this helpful hint:

dmii-advice-for-claim

Posted in DM II, Medical News, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

FACEFOTO

Posted on February 16, 2013 by asknod

Every once in a while I venture into Faceland. I’m uncomfortable there because I really know very few of the many faces. Some, like Shawn, are intricately woven into my life by chance. She, by virtue of her employ with LawBob Squarepants. Nevertheless, she finds very appropriate pictures to post there. This one is priceless and reminds me of the monsoons 40 + years ago. No one really complained. What good would it do? All that has changes with social media…

War is Hell but combat is something else.

War is Hell but combat is something else.

Have you ever tried to keep one pair of socks dry? Have you ever had to put a rubber over the tip of your rifle to keep it from filling up with water?

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

CDC tells all? Nope, but they’re throwing out some crumbs.

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Laura

I’ve been studying WHO’s successful global eradication of the dreaded smallpox virus by vaccination.  The program began in 1969.  According to a press release, smallpox was “eliminated first in South America, West and Central Africa, then in Asia and finally in East Africa. Global smallpox eradication was finally achieved with the world’s last naturally-occurring case in Somalia on 26 October 1977.”  It remains a remarkable achievement.

However, jet-gun injectors (MUNJIs) were used; later bifurcated needles dipped into multi-dose vials became a popular way to administer the vaccine.  (More about that later.)  Please let this 1975 CDC photo of a resident vaccinator (Bangledesh)–and CDC description sink in.  

“This local smallpox eradication team member displayed a high degree of ingenuity in keeping his vial of smallpox vaccine cool while he made the rounds from house to house, by placing the vial inside the core of a palm branch. You’ll note the placement of a single bifurcated needle in the branch as well, which was worrisome, for using the same needle between vaccine recipients could have facilitated the spread of other blood-borne diseases. Today, the practice of needle-reuse would be completely unacceptable knowing what we now understand about the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.”

PHIL Image 7515

A dirty bifurcated needle, dirty multi-dose smallpox vial and
dirty hands were used to puncture the skin, (drawing blood) to
vaccinate many villagers.

The crude methods used were not “worrisome” in the past although some people may have had reservations about the potential for the transmission of blood-born pathogens.

bifurcated needle

bifurcated needle

Now consider Egypt.  It has the largest burden of HCV infection in the world.  The CDC published a 2012 report about the link between unsafe vaccinations and the Hepatitis C epidemic in Egypt in the report Progress Toward Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus Infection — Egypt, 2001–2012.

“The hepatitis C epidemic in Egypt began during 1960–1980, when mass campaigns were conducted to control schistosomiasis…administered by health-care workers using improperly sterilized glass syringes.”

In a different CDC 2009 publication for lab workers, I found:

“Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus (formerly known as nonA nonB Virus), Hepatitis D Virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the type species of the Orthohepadnavirus genus in the family Hepadnaviridae. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the type species of the Hepacivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is the only member of the genus Deltavirus.

These viruses are naturally acquired from a carrier during blood transfusion, vaccination, tattooing, or body piercing with inadequately sterilized instruments.  Non-parenteral routes, such as domestic contact and unprotected (heterosexual and homosexual) intercourse, are also major modes of transmission.”

The quote is from Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition,  section VII.  This statement is inclusive of all three viruses and lists vaccination before tattooing and after transfusions.  The word “intercourse” is called  a major “mode of transmission.”  Interestingly, IV use is omitted.

The list of HCV smoking guns is long.  Are the timid scientists at the CDC getting a bit braver?

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, Jetgun Claims evidence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DISTINGUISHED WARFARE MEDAL

Posted on February 15, 2013 by asknod

images

Imagine watching your hopes of ever experiencing the thrill of victory and the agony of TBI evaporate when you see your orders for  Tech training. Your expertise and prowess on HALO- Warrior from the Sky video gaming has earned you a job at MacDill AFB and not that top dog, Red Beret for SAR. No sir. You are headed to an underground room and a video screen for four years.

Well now there’s a medal for you, too. The Distinguished Warfare Medal, baby. It’s above the Bronze Star and just below the Silver Star. Huh? Say all after above Bronze? Comment deleted due to low ratings.

My Uncle Jay was shot through the ankle and did the 63-mile Bataan Fun Run on it with a lot of help from his friends. He received a Bronze Star for that and another for his defense of Corregidor. Think about this. He had his foot amputated after he got back to Letterman Hospital in 1945. He couldn’t get here any sooner- he was a POW for 4 years.

Now we have a medal for flying a Predator remotely and taking out terrorists. Do they get a bronze oak leaf cluster after 5 kills? This is asinine. Why not just hand out a Joe Blow medal with a picture of an X box on one side and a Hellfire missile on the obverse? Call it the Virtual medal for those who were there in spirit and were infinitely familiar with the concept of cold coffee or a flat Dr. Pepper. It would rate right up there with the “I was there” medals and prove you weren’t a run of the mill REMF. I’m sure there’s a special place for airmen like this. In the sixties up in Laos, we used enlisted men as FACs (called Butterflies) until Gen. Momeyer found out about it in 67.  After that it was done by reckless “commissioned” FACs rather than reckless “non-commissioned” ones. There went all the medals. Actually, it was damn difficult to get any medals over the fence because we weren’t there. I never got mine.

Our good buddy and fellow Vietnam Vet John Kerry was part of a group who espoused a desire to strike a  medal for all those who refrain from shooting back when shot at.  No, silly. it wasn’t when he was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. I’m talking about more recently in the “blue on green” Afghani attacks on our troops. That seemed like a sure fire (no pun intended) one to take off with the American public. It never materialized. It seems America wants to see valor and selflessness. Touchy-feely medals just don’t cut it, I guess.

Another one I felt had merit was a Libyan medal. It would have very few recipients for obvious reasons but here again, the Virtual Video Warriors would have a good shot at it. They must have had some eyes on the ground watching the Ambassador and the SEALs getting snuffed.

So there you have it. The latest on medals and virtual warriors explained for all. So why do I still feel like the whole medal thing is becoming jaded? Why does it seem that a “V” device for valor has been usurped by a “V” device for virtual. Am I alone in this respect? Medals need to mean something. Medals should speak of privation and hardship. They should represent lousy food and foolhardy behaviour. Their essence should be steeped in camaraderie and shared misery.

There is a place for this medal but it seems it’s being overblown a bit. Why not an emblem like a Combat Infantryman’s Badge? How about a silver image of a handheld X Box controller with wings on it? A big V with wings on it? Anyone have an idea?

REMF w/ full compliment of I was there medals and then some

 

P.S. Or, as Robert observes, maybe an award for the most preparation H and 5 hour energy drinks consumed on one watch.

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

CAVC–WADE v. SHINSEKI–BONO PRO $18,000 ME Ø

Posted on February 14, 2013 by asknod

WHERE’S MY CUT OF THE EAJA FEES, DUDE?

Every once in a while, we see a case here that induces compassion for the Veteran. If there is a God, he was AWOL this time. Occasionally we’d post some under “Frivolous Filings” in the old forum. I honestly didn’t believe I’d find another one quite like this.

Here’s Mr. Wade’s decison-WadeLM_11-2446

Sit back and listen to Lynn M. Wade’s sorry tale of woe. If we can believe his tale, he has been horribly bushwhacked by carpetbaggers and scalawags at every turn. Without a minder, he has wandered in the desert for 8 years. Much baksheesh has traded palms with nary a shekel touching his. In his own words…

“Bono Pro was granted $18,000  Me   Ø”

2013-02-14 133905

2013-02-14 133905_2

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It’s just idle conjecture to me to comment but I would point to this and say it reminds me of the movie where Tom Hanks is shipwrecked. Remember him storming (comically) up and down the beach in front of his new fire and shouting loudly “Witness my prowess! I have made fire! Fear me! ” Now substitute Lynn standing in front of 625  Wagonburner Lane NW beating his chest…

images (1)

Yes I think the Board had no Ø consideration for me, but instead came up with perjury charge only to keep from paying me 8 year, I do believe from my heart I’ve been rail rail.roaded but that, ok

Obviously, if Lynn is writing this, it means his former legal help is AWOL or he has decided on a new legal strategy which is still evolving even as we speak. Who knows? Maybe he has deep pockets and will shell out $450.00 for the filing fee at the Fed Circus. As those old 8 balls say on the bottom ” The future is unclear at this time” or some such bother.

images

There it is. Hazy. At any rate, Mr. Wade is going to have to make some decisions soon. The ink dried on his decision January 17th- less than a month ago. He’s got the standard 60 days to file so he hits Bingo is around March 17th.

I think the biggest obstacle is overcoming his credibility issues with some of the judges he has valiantly attempted to plead to. He has stepped on his tongue and can’t seem to hit the rewind/erase button on it. Regardless of whether this started out as a Frivolous Filing, the facts are unfortunately cast in his own words. The old Diarrhea of the Mouth disease is fatal to these claims in almost all instances. If you have not created the right evidence in the record by the time you arrive at Indiana Avenue, honey, you are in deep doo-doo. And if you arrive there in your own car without a minder, you may be in for some rude surprises on how that Benefit of the Doubt thingie works in “Bono” jurisprudence.

In January 2010, Mr. Wade submitted to VA a medical opinion from a private physician, Dr. Dale R. Crawford, who concluded that “it is more likely than not that [Mr. Wade’s] Hepatitis C is etiologically related to the jet gun injections that he received in the Army.” Dr. Crawford relied in part on the appellant’s assertion that he did “not have any other plausible risk factors for Hepatitis C . . . [and i]n particular, he denies using intravenous drugs or intranasal cocaine, or high-risk sexual activity . . . [and h]is medical records do not reveal any other recognized risk factor for Hepatitis C.” Id.

In July 2010, Mr. Wade underwent a new VA medical examination. R. at 53-55. At that time, he denied having had blood transfusions prior to 1992, any past or present intravenous drug use, hemodialysis, and any tattoos or piercings. However, he reported that he had “approximately 20 to 30 sexual partners,” that he has had a history of venereal disease, and that he had a history of intranasal cocaine use that ended 10 to 15 years prior to the examination. Id. He also stated that he was accidentally stuck with a needle during active duty service “by someone who was using intravenous drugs” and that he may have been infected while receiving a vaccination through a jet gun transmission. Id. The examiner determined that Mr. Wade’s current hepatitis C is less likely related to his active service or any incident therein.

Wade v. Shinseki  2013

So here we have what the VA and Congress profess to be ex parte justice in it’s most raw and earthy format. The Lynnster feels himself cast as David and the VA as Goliath. In his mind this is just a small matter of exerting form over substance If he can bluster his way through and convince Judge Coral into  simply examining the record more thoroughly,  she will see he is clearly entitled to service connection. Ignore all that legal jargon and get with the “Just the facts, ma’m. Just the facts”.  Lynn’s been watching too many Badge 714 reruns. It doesn’t work like that. What makes me sad is that the Court and VA permit this self-destruct case to proceed pro se. I guess we can all agree the Lynnmeister is in waaaaay over his head. I also think we could safely say that VA knows this to be a fact as well by now. Any semblance of justice went out the window when he filed. Perhaps we should refile this in the “You have the right to remain stupid” file but we don’t have one. Nevertheless, at some point a intervention should have been effected and remedial legal help assigned. To let him proceed was a waste of precious judicial resources and a tremendous disservice to all Vets-him included. This is a horrible indictment of the nonadversarial process-perhaps an indifferent one that doesn’t benefit anyone.

We set aside our protections accorded us as Veterans when we get to the Court. We are given some deference on rules and procedure when we represent ourselves. What we are not given is license to go back and change the evidence. We are big boys and girls when we get to the Court and we must act that way. Shoot them we cannot. And gone is the non-adversarial, Veteran friendly camaraderie that you were so accustomed to at the RO where they grant if they can and only deny if they must. The Court is only too willing to bend over backwards and entertain your overactive imagination-once. When the BVA then gets their denial perfected, your goose is cooked. Mr. Wade just learned this and it will stand him in good stead in any future claims. He has now made fire and understands it’s properties more clearly. And if he is still in the dark he can go here then enter 11-2446 in the upper left Case Number/ Range box and hit search. This reveals the VA’s position on it as well. It may help shape his new defense when he refiles. 

Bono Pro?

Bono Pro?

Too many Bono Pros

Too many Bono Pros

Posted in ASKNOD BOOK, CAvC HCV Ruling, EAJA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Public health Johnny-come-latelies on HCV

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Laura

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Zoom, zoom.  The federal government health professionals are revving up their Denali SUVs  to educate the public on hepatitis.  Yesterday, they announced on the aids.gov blog:

SOUNDING THE ALARM ON A SILENT EPIDEMIC: FEDERAL HIV/STD ADVISORY GROUP ADOPTS VIRAL HEPATITIS AS PRIORITY

Why now?

“The implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis has really sharpened the focus of federal agencies on viral hepatitis and galvanized cross-agency collaborations.”

“…A second main impetus was learning from CDC analysis last spring that mortality related to hepatitis C has now outpaced AIDS related deaths.”

Really? Completely clueless until the spring of 2011?

“Finally, …One-third of people living with HIV are co-infected with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis progresses at a faster rate among persons with HIV. …Indeed, liver disease—much of which is related to hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection— has become a leading cause of death among people living with HIV.”

HIV/AIDS is where the funding is.  Transmission similarities aside, it makes sense to finally tap into this budget.

Now, to compare the VA’s HIV and HCV 2008 figures.

From: http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/pdf/HCV-State-of-Care-2010.pdf

“In 2008, VHA clinicians cared for over 147,000 Veterans with chronic HCV.  Of the 5.6 million Veterans in VHA care in 2008, one of every 38 (2.6%) had a diagnosis of chronic HCV. “(Executive summary)

“Hepatitis B co-infection was present in approximately 8% of Veterans with chronic HCV while 3.8% were known to be co-infected with HIV.” (pg 23)

From :  http://www.hiv.va.gov/pdf/state-of-care.pdf

“In 2008, over 23,000 HIV infected Veterans were seen by VHA clinicians; …Overall, 5.6 million Veterans were treated by VHA in 2008, thus about one of every 250 Veterans in care at VHA is living with HIV/AIDS.”

One out of four had chronic hepatitis C virus infection and 7% had chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

It will be interesting to look at the HIV and HCV veteran boomer cohorts, subtract out, say, 10% from each group,  (I’m estimating 10% to be gay, or IV drug users), and look for commonalities among the remaining 90%.

These figures are five years old.  To recap, in VHA patients, 1/250 had HIV; and 1/38 had HCV. Both statistics are bad but HCV is clearly much worse problem in the veteran population. 

Editor’s note: If VA has suddenly noticed the offending nose on their face and elected to cut it off, it would be due in no small measure to the constant drum roll of information being trebucheted over the walls of the VA castle by none other than Patricia Lupole. Odd that it has taken 15 years for them to notice, let alone acknowledge what everyone knew. I watched the appeals for HCV at the BVA skyrocket from 1992 to the present. I have seen no such phenomenon relative to HIV. Apparently, it’s more politically correct to be gay ( and get the scarce medical research dollars)  than to have a “drug addict’s” disease.  Rodney Dangerfield’s plaint that “I don’t get no respect”. is more than an apt metaphor  to enunciate our plight . It appears the pooh bahs have artfully dallied just long enough to permit the majority of us to die or become horribly afflicted with post-Interferon treatment maladies before acknowledging that the smoke indeed represents a fire. Seems we did this from 1981 to 1991 with Agent Orange. The public hue and outcry did much to bring it to the front burner. Nothing like a little cirrhosis and HCC to invigorate public opinion and get the ball rolling. I would also point out the obvious. Vets could be falling like flies and it would not motivate public opinion one iota. When some Senator’s son is suddenly afflicted, it becomes a major epidemic- but not one day sooner. Or, in the alternative, if it will bring in more votes and keep or facilitate a political agenda, stand back and avoid the stampede to the medical research trough. Whatever the underlying reason, let us all say a prayer and thank our lucky stars that someone noticed our plight. What is most dangerous is that it will be no more than a flash in the pan and subside. Please don’t permit that to happen.

It’s first and ten on our 40 yd. line and we have an excellent chance of scoring this time if we control the media. As they say at Huntington beach, “Dude! Surf’s up. Let’s hit it.”

Posted in Congressional HCV info, Guest authors, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented), Medical News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments