Hep-C

[rotorhead]

John, thanks for the reply, I was discharged in Aug 73, in Oct of 73 I became very sick,turned yellow, vomiting, lots of joint pain ect. I went to my local doctor and he asked me if I had been out of the country lately. That created quite a laugh on my part. I had just returned from Germany and had spent 1969-1971 in RVN. Long story short, He said the thought is was a Viral infection of some type and suggested that I go to the VA hospital. I was in the VA hospital 12-14 days and was diagnosed with non-A non-B hepatitis.

Fast forward to 2009, I had a real good cardiologist at the VA hospital in Mt. Home, TN who had me checked for all types of Hepatitis. I came back positive for Hep-C and showed a antibody for Type A(Immunity). I was an emergency room medic the last two years in the service and was repeatily subjected to blood, and body fluid exposure. I had at least two needle sticks that I could remember.

I was very honest with the C&P examiner about the drug use in the service around that time. I never used them but knew of many who did. I did not have any Article 15s or any disciplinary issues while in service, and only one small tattoo. The C&P examiner said this is all taken in to consideration when it goes to ratings. He stated that it was as likely as not that Hep c came from a needle stick while in service. (50-50) They gave me the benefit of the doubt.

Dave

[Berta]

The IHD claim and the SSA award will put you into a TDIU scenario-I am sure!

I would appeal the TDIU denial if I were you -to preserve the earliest effective date when they award for the IHD.

Then again the IHD is as likely as not due to the DMII unless the VA could prove it occurred before the DMII diagnosis.

This is why vets need good medical attention to their glucose levels as well as their Creatine,BUN , and Tryglyceride levels.

I am not a doctor but when a vet has obvious cardiac situation, they (VA) should look for DMII as source of the cardio problem right away.

It gets me when they diagnose DMII during a C & P exam when the reality is that the vet mght have had DMII prior to that with complications of it already.

You did VERY well on the Hep C. A Zero SC is far better than NSC.

You are right- if the VA can use tattoes or HIV drug use against a Hep vet, they will.Your MOS fully supported the Hep C claim.

That "0" SC is a good award for Hepatitis in my opinion and sets the stage for higher rating if you develop residuals from it.