thedrifter
09-30-03, 09:55 AM
Hepatitis C as a Presumed Service Connection for Military
NEW DECISION ON HEPATITIS C
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
By Mike Murphy
YREKA - My office just received some really good news for
veterans suffering with Hepatitis C. The newly created specialty
rating team in Cleveland, Ohio known as the "Tiger Team" awarded
a Vietnam veteran a service connected disability for Hepatitis
C. The decision, which just came out in August of this year, was
as a result of the "Jet Injectors" used for inoculations of most
service members during the Vietnam Era and after.
As I have written about in previous columns, Vietnam Era
veterans have been the fastest growing number of Hepatitis C
patients. The biggest mystery has always been why. Many of these
veterans belong to no "high risk" group such as homosexuals or
IV drug users, and many did not even
serve overseas. The only risk group they belong to is being in
the military during this era. It appears that a link has finally
been established as to the reasons for this.
A research project headed by Lawrence Deyton, MSPH, MD, the
Director of Aids/Hepatitis at the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. said in part, "Anyone who
had inoculations with the jet injector is at risk of having
Hepatitis C and should be tested." Research indicates that the
Hepatitis C virus still exists on medical instruments after
cleaning with many solutions. I don't believe that this
statement could be any clearer.
The jet injector system has long been suspected of transmitting
blood borne pathogens. In veterans groups, many believe that the
VA purposely denied veterans Hepatitis C claims for being
infected with this virus, to hold treatment costs down and give
the VA the ability to deny the claim. There were ridiculous
studies released indicating the veterans themselves were at
fault due to misconduct in, or after military service, that
justified the denials.
I remember, not too long ago, the Agent Orange issue was a
similar denial by the government and so was the "Gulf War
Syndrome." There were similar ridiculous studies released
indicating that there was no proof that Agent Orange made anyone
ill. Now we all know better. The government went so far as to
state that the "Gulf War Syndrome" was a psychosomatic disorder
and did not really exist. Now we know better. And now finally we
see the truth regarding Hepatitis C.
It would appear that the
Emperor has no clothes.
The biggest problem to overcome in this issue is getting the
word out to these veterans. Most of us who served during this
era can remember the long inoculation lines and blood running
freely down many of our arms during these inoculations with the
jet injectors. Another problem is that the incubation period for
Hepatitis C can be decades long and symptoms may be nonexistent
up until the time that the veteran becomes very ill. I am asking
that anyone who reads this column, please, spread the word and
get tested. You can be tested at any VA facility. If you don't
know how to access the VA, call our office in Yreka and we will
help you. This is extremely important. Your life and the lives
of your loved ones may depend on it.
http://www.mtshastalive.com/story.asp?HDR=15&FragID=25447
More info at http://hcvets.com
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
NEW DECISION ON HEPATITIS C
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
By Mike Murphy
YREKA - My office just received some really good news for
veterans suffering with Hepatitis C. The newly created specialty
rating team in Cleveland, Ohio known as the "Tiger Team" awarded
a Vietnam veteran a service connected disability for Hepatitis
C. The decision, which just came out in August of this year, was
as a result of the "Jet Injectors" used for inoculations of most
service members during the Vietnam Era and after.
As I have written about in previous columns, Vietnam Era
veterans have been the fastest growing number of Hepatitis C
patients. The biggest mystery has always been why. Many of these
veterans belong to no "high risk" group such as homosexuals or
IV drug users, and many did not even
serve overseas. The only risk group they belong to is being in
the military during this era. It appears that a link has finally
been established as to the reasons for this.
A research project headed by Lawrence Deyton, MSPH, MD, the
Director of Aids/Hepatitis at the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. said in part, "Anyone who
had inoculations with the jet injector is at risk of having
Hepatitis C and should be tested." Research indicates that the
Hepatitis C virus still exists on medical instruments after
cleaning with many solutions. I don't believe that this
statement could be any clearer.
The jet injector system has long been suspected of transmitting
blood borne pathogens. In veterans groups, many believe that the
VA purposely denied veterans Hepatitis C claims for being
infected with this virus, to hold treatment costs down and give
the VA the ability to deny the claim. There were ridiculous
studies released indicating the veterans themselves were at
fault due to misconduct in, or after military service, that
justified the denials.
I remember, not too long ago, the Agent Orange issue was a
similar denial by the government and so was the "Gulf War
Syndrome." There were similar ridiculous studies released
indicating that there was no proof that Agent Orange made anyone
ill. Now we all know better. The government went so far as to
state that the "Gulf War Syndrome" was a psychosomatic disorder
and did not really exist. Now we know better. And now finally we
see the truth regarding Hepatitis C.
It would appear that the
Emperor has no clothes.
The biggest problem to overcome in this issue is getting the
word out to these veterans. Most of us who served during this
era can remember the long inoculation lines and blood running
freely down many of our arms during these inoculations with the
jet injectors. Another problem is that the incubation period for
Hepatitis C can be decades long and symptoms may be nonexistent
up until the time that the veteran becomes very ill. I am asking
that anyone who reads this column, please, spread the word and
get tested. You can be tested at any VA facility. If you don't
know how to access the VA, call our office in Yreka and we will
help you. This is extremely important. Your life and the lives
of your loved ones may depend on it.
http://www.mtshastalive.com/story.asp?HDR=15&FragID=25447
More info at http://hcvets.com
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: