Hepatitis C as a Presumed Service Connection for Military

[Tedster]

Sad to hear about Marines using dope. I never saw anyone using anything other than pot in Nam.

If they made themselves sick with Hepatitis C then they should not be eligible for service connected compensation from the VA due to their "willful misconduct".

Only those veterans who who are denied benefits due to "No Known Cause" or risk factors other than those which were life style choices and considered "willful misconduct" should be granted benefits.

Unfortunately right now "No Known Cause" is DOES NOT entitle a veteran with HCV compensation.

I have a resolution now with the Vietnam Veterns of America to change that. Hopefully it will be adopted at this years convention in Reno and carried up to the Hill.

There are about 85,000 vets who are denied due to "No Known Cause" for their infection right now. There are about 250,000 sick with HCV.

Call or write your reps if you want to help, especially Mike Michaud of Maine, Bob Filner of Cal. and Miller of Florida as they are on Veterans Committee in DC. Write to all members of the Congressional and Senate Veterans Committee members.

Your voice matters so lets unite and speak up on this issue, I have!
Ted

[HM3 Doc Wilder]

It's the Water-that made you guys sick-Even with the Iodine Pills in the canteens-you were exposed to some Infectious Blood Product-that gave you Hep C-That's All there is to It-----Fight The Power-Semper Fi.

[HM3 Doc Wilder]

Any Way-Very IMPORTANT-If you Have Hep C-You cant Drink Alcohol-because it turns Hep C into Liver Cancer.Don't use Alcohol-This is not a maybe-This is A FACT......I forgot to mention this to you All-Previously- Word Up-Ja Bless You.....

[USMC 73-76]

The percentage of veterans from any era with HCV are Vietnam ERA vets.
So, we must ask ourselves, what was it that we had in common that might point to this fact? The answer in my opinion is "airguns". Teh VA will not admit that fact and will only say that HCV may have been spread by them on rare occasions and in isolated instances. Well, it's not rare and isolated if it happens to be you is it?

Type 1b is more difficult but any type 1 is rough.

When you go to the VA ask them how the new drug Telepravir trials are going and when will that medication become available. I'll do the same on 28Feb2011 when I go for my visit.

Are you getting regular sonograms? Have you had a biopsy yet? These are important in case any tumors get a start. Small tumore can be operated on larger ones cannot so get sonograms! I had a 3-D x-ray at one point also.

Google up HCVets. They have a website. Interesting stuff and statistics.
The VA itself has hepatitis C link too.

I'm trying to get the VA to approve more risk factors but have found that trying to get change is challanging.

Keep me posted on your progress and let's help each other survive in this foxhole.

Ted

Asked about this today,Was told Telepravir should be available July 2011.

Did you get any info at your last visit??


My primary VA doc said he would do a nexus letter if the hep doc from the VA did one.

I asked her (hep doc ...... PA) today if she would do a nexus letter, and the answer was NO Way,
Her reason was no way to prove that Jet Air Guns was the cause.

So I got a Hep A/B shot they took some blood, said come back in Sept (6 months),,,,,,,,,,

[Tedster]

The VA will not accept that airguns were the cause of HCV because they say that they need "statistical scientific evidence" to prove it. Think of it, if they allowed air guns as a risk factor HCV would be a presumptive disease as we all had shots via air guns. Your primary and gastro doc are employees of the VA that is why they will not write you a letter. I had three doctors write me letters saying airguns were at fault. The VA replied that unless they provided, once again, "statistical scientific evidence" that air guns were at fault they would not accept their testimony, period.

Don't drink period, not a drop!, get mouthwash that is alcohol free.

If you are going into treatment and are 55-65 get a shingles shot first because if you get shingles while in treatment you fill find yourself in a bad place mentally.

If you got a tattoo while on active duty before 1989 you qualify for compensation. There are other accepted risk factors too so see VA.gov/Hepatitis C. Doing drugs is considered "willful misconduct" so that don't count.

Pray for a cure to make all of this moot.

Ted

[jamielang1951]

New Hope for Patients With Hepatitis C Infection

http://www.medindia.net/news/New-Hop...on-83177-1.htm

[Tedster]

New Hope for Patients With Hepatitis C Infection

http://www.medindia.net/news/New-Hop...on-83177-1.htm

Jamie,
Good to hear from you brother.

My doctor said that protease inhibitors will be available soon, namely Telapravir and/or another one Bocapravir , I'm not sure of that spelling.

They are still trying to decide whether the treatment regiment will be for 24 or 48 weeks, I'm hoping its 24.

I want to wait until November to start on it as I live in Maine and do not want to loose my summer. Also, it will give me a chance to follow the #'s to see if I'll be a good candidate. Fortunately I'm a slow progresser and do not drink.

I have an appointment at VA about it in May.

Thank you for this update and keep up your advocacy, I appreciate it. This is a tough fight to help our brothers and sisters in arms but we are Marines and we will take this hill.

Semper Fi,
Ted

[Tedster]

Any Way-Very IMPORTANT-If you Have Hep C-You cant Drink Alcohol-because it turns Hep C into Liver Cancer.Don't use Alcohol-This is not a maybe-This is A FACT......I forgot to mention this to you All-Previously- Word Up-Ja Bless You.....

Doc,
Check out my latest message to Jamie and his attachment about protease inhibitors, They are coming to your VA doctors soon!

Be well,
Ted

[HM3 Doc Wilder]

I'm Checking It Out Now-Hope That Works-Have a Russian Friend-that is a Great Bassist and used to teach MRI-for MRI-Companies-hated to be flying all over the place to teach.He Took the Cure For Hepatitis a few years ago-He spent A Lot Of Money-on it-but it didn't work-so I Will Copy The Site and send it to him.Like You Guys-He Wants to Be Cured-Period.God Bless You Guys....Aw-out

[jamielang1951]

I thought I would give you guys an update on my HCV (Hep-C).

First, I’m not going to try and get any service connected disability. Why? Since I got out I added “Vietnam 70/71” to my tat, and recently I had it re-colored.
In 1980, for almost two months and twice a week I gave platelets to the daughter I lost. It involved removing blood from one arm, running it through a machine that separated the platelets from the red cells, and putting it back in the other arm. I did that until my body just couldn’t take it anymore. The last time I tried I started shaking uncontrollably and almost went into shock.
I know it’s a very slim chance that any blood contaminate was left in the machine, but probably just enough for the VA to give me chit about it. I figured I'll be stressed enough fighting hcv and don't need the additional stress of fighting the VA to.

Also I just found out my ex wife has hcv. I haven’t seen her in 11 years but a common friend told me. It’s extremely rare for a man to give it to a woman but more possible a woman can give it to a man just before, during, and after their period. It can only be transmitted by blood to blood contact. The reason I divorced her and raised our daughter as a single parent was because of her drug use. Those are the only risk factors that I have, but enough for the VA to screw with me.

My genotype is hcv-1a, viral load is fifteen million. I've had a sonogram and my liver is swollen but no tumors. The extreme fatigue, joint pain and hot flashes are my worst complaint. I have some minor memory problems but no comfusion as in some advanced cases. I still have some swelling of my calf and feet even though I take a diuretic. I’ve had an unreal amount of blood work preparing for my chemotherapy. I’m waiting for VA New Orleans to set up the consultation on my treatment plan. Thing is, the blood work can’t be over two months old and I’ve been waiting a month now. My Doctor at our local VA clinic is great, really on my side and a good advocate for us vets. He bit*ches about many of the stupid things the VA does. I talked to him today and he said he would be on their azz so I won’t have to redo all the damn blood work. He told me that the chemo is like having a bad case of the flu for a year and your hair will get extremely thin. That's no problem, as I like to shave my head once every two months, even though I have a full head of solid black hair. My beard is all gray, lol.

I ask for your help in spreading the word as much as possible for any Vietnam era vets to get checked. If you are on Facebook, that’s a good place to start. My prayers are with all of you who are dealing with this.

[Tedster]

Jamie,
Be sure to ask if you will be given the new treatment with the protease inhibitor. It has just been approved by the FDC. The VA is just now establishing the protocol on how to dispense it. It is Peg-Interferon/Ribovirin/Protease inhibitor(Telapravir) combination therapy, not chemo. Chemo is different. This is important because the SOC(standard of care) that includes the protease inhibitor increases the chance of a cure from 30% to 80% so wait if you have to so you get the best SOC available.

That tattoo you received, 70-71, may very well have been the cause for your HCV. I have read a VA appeal where a veteran was approved for service connection due to a tattoo. Did you get it while you were enlisted?

It pays to file a claim for service connection because if you ever need a liver transplant or liver surgery it will come in handy to have that in your record, it's only 10% or 20% anyway. Also, being service connected helps with the stigma. When you say to a lab tech "Be careful taking blood because I have Hep-C" they look at you like you did something bad. If you say "Be careful taking blood because I'm service connected for Hep-C" they put their hand on your shoulder and give you a caring look.

The DAV has my resolution about getting all Vietnam Era veterans tested for HCV. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 45-65 be tested. HCV has grown 25% in the last 5 years alone. There convention is in New Orleans this weekend. Go in and see the Legislative Chairman Joe Violante. tell him you know Ted from Maine. He is a great man who will point you in the right direction in getting your claim started.

Now that we have the new meds, Telapravir and Bocapravir, both protease inhibitors, and an increased success rate maybe our reps will begin to support us because there is going to be a lot of money made come a cure.

Be well,
Ted

[Tedster]

I'm Checking It Out Now-Hope That Works-Have a Russian Friend-that is a Great Bassist and used to teach MRI-for MRI-Companies-hated to be flying all over the place to teach.He Took the Cure For Hepatitis a few years ago-He spent A Lot Of Money-on it-but it didn't work-so I Will Copy The Site and send it to him.Like You Guys-He Wants to Be Cured-Period.God Bless You Guys....Aw-out

Doc,
The FDA has approved, (25 doctors to 0), the protease inhibitors for Hep-C treatment. The VA is working out the protocol on how to disperse the medication. it will be combination therapy Peg-interferonm/Ribovirin/Protease inhibitor. The success in treatment goes from 30% to 80% in the trials!

I just advised Jamie, on the thread, about it.

Be well,
Ted

[jamielang1951]

Thanks for the info Ted. I'll put it to good use when I go for my consultation. I just received my appointment, for October 18! Which means I'll have to redo my blood work as it will be over two months old. As far as people thinking I did something wrong, I could give a rats azz.
My father was Washington Parish Prison warden and WPSO Chief, I was a reserve deputy with search and rescue. All the people that know me know I served my country and my Parish with honor. Screw the rest.
Thanks for your advocacy Ted, keep up the good fight.

[Tedster]

Jamie,
I'm going on Oct. 6 so i'll tell you how my visit goes. My dr. told me that they will have the Telapravir available by then. Hope so as it is our best shot at a cure. I will not go back into treatment until the new meds are available.

The DAV will vote on my resolution to have all Vietnam ERA veterans tested today at 2:45 in New Orleans where there convention is being held. i hope I'm not disappointed again. We really need to get going on the HCV crisis. The VSO's and politicians are playing ostrich with their head in the sand on this issue. The problem has grown 25% int eh past 5 years, it is not dieing off with us. Now that a new medication is becoming available and a boat load of money will be made perhaps they'll start to support us, especially those of us who have no clue how we got sick. 30% of VA claims are denied because the rating examiner can find "No Known Cause"

If you ever want to win a claim your tattoo is the key if you had it done while in the Crotch.

Be well,
Ted

[2599108]

I,m currently at week 13 with treatment.Unable to work or even take the Harley down the street.Side effects are wicked.Lab work shows possitive improvement.I,ll be glad to get back to some sense of normal.Thanks for everyone info!!!!!! Semper Fi!!!!!