diabetes New Member

[Jimmy the socks]

I am retired Air Force. First 14 yrs communications using Trichloroethylene (TCE) daily to degrease equipment. Never instructed to use protective safety gear. Liver enzymes were elevated the year before retirement and higher each year after that. I was not informed that my labs were abnormal. NEVER drank alcohol and stayed physically fit. My triglycerides and cholesterol were high during active duty however. Shortly after retirement developed type 2 Diabetes and at a routine blood lab was told my liver enzymes were very high. Had a biopsy and was told I have NASH, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. All tests proved my condition was not hereditary. I am now in 4th end stage cirrhosis and will require a liver transplant very soon. I am on the list now. Crazy for a guy who never drinks alcohol as most people associate cirrhosis with alcoholism. Is there anyone out there who was exposed to TCE who has a liver disease? It is difficult to find others like myself who can understand and be supportive. I am awaiting the VA's decision for my disability benefits. Supplied them with all labs, active duty and retired, my biopsy and other films, a nexus letter which states "At lease as likely as not" that TCE caused my liver disease", buddy letters to prove I had my hands in the stuff daily, medical journals, and much more. I gave the VA a letter from the VA doctors stating I am "Unemployable". Can anyone offer any assistance on documented info and your story as well. Feel free to E-mail me directly at jim570150@yahoo.com. Thanks!

[jbasser]

I believe there should be a shout out to Hoppy. I believe he can add some serious insight here.

Basser

[Notorious Kelly]

Welcome, Jimmy.

Sorry to hear of your medical ailments but sounds like good evidence.

Good luck!

[Hoppy]

I will take a deeper look at this topic and others I posted on in recent weeks this weekend. I am using a computer in a Library today I have been traveling a little in the last couple week.

[Papa]

Hope others do not mind me jumping in here, but Hoppy is not on here very often, and he has Angioedema. I have Hereditary Angioedema. Wanted to tell Hoppy about my Esophagus procedure that was done. I was going to have it done in a non-hospital setting, but when the Anesthesiologist saw that I had HAE, she put a stop to the procedure. She said that I would need to have it in a hospital setting, and in the operating room. Sometimes I gripe that the AF could not dx simple Gall Stones, but thinking back on it, that was a blessing. Also, do you know if AO did or could affect Angioedema? If, I recall, you have acquired Angioedema, was that from AO? Hope you are doing well.

Papa

Sorry, I do not mean any disrespect in jumping in on someone post.

[Hoppy]

Liver enzymes were elevated the year before retirement and higher each year after that.

The evidence you have is pretty strong. If they attack the doctors report. You could have the doctor improve the logic if he could show that the elevated liver enzimes were early symptoms of your liver condition and that the ongoing increases after your retirement show continuity of symptoms. Sometimes the raters need to see it jump off the page in a language they understand. They understand "early symptoms" and "continuity of symptoms". I always like to have doctors reports include the exact terminology that raters use to award claims. The "as likely or not" statement should be adaquate to get a C&P no matter what the doctors qualifications are. If the guy is an expert in environmental health or diseases of the liver, they should award the claim. They might schedule a C&P to clarify any questions they have.

Papa,

I do not have hereditary angioedema. I have a rare idiopathic form of the disease that is considered an occupational illness due to repititous exposure to substances found in a work environment. Clinical proceedures including dental proceedures can trigger the hereditary form of the disease. that is why the doctor wanted you in a hospital.