Hep C Discussion Forum

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Chatbox
Please log in to join the chat!
Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> For Vietnam Vets
Post Info TOPIC: For Vietnam Vets
Rockyfeller


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 43
Date:
RE: For Vietnam Vets
Permalink  
 

I made my disability claim to the VA in 2000.  I had gone through an extra year of training to be a 91C, instead of a 91A, but when I got to Nam my first 9 months were spent in combat anyways, a good portion of it in Cambodia. (yes, we were really there).  I extended over there for a second tour, because that way I would not have to do any stateside duty, and worked medevac and emergency rooms for my second tour.  Evidently that was good enough for the VA, as they gave me a 0% disability, as I was not experiencing any problems.  If I had been sick enough to miss work it would have been greater.  As part of the disability, tho, they would  monitor my Hep C, and treat me, if I desired it bad enough not to smoke pot for a year.  Their treatment, however, was the standard 48+ week of interfereon and ribavirin, and I had done enough research to know that it was an unpleasant journey, so I declined and waited for something better.  This 12 week triple therapy I'm on now isn't pleasant either, but the end is a lot closer.  I don't know how some of you put up with this for 48 weeks.



__________________

genotype 1a, viral count 7 M

7/12/12 started triple with GS-7977(400 mg 1/day), Peginterferon and Ribavirin  12 wk  trial

11/2012 no svr

12/10/13 new trial with sofosbuvir/ledispavir combo and riba12 wks

3/10/14 UND

3/16/15 still UND, and feeling great
hrsetrdr


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 940
Date:
Permalink  
 

I've been advised by several military-retired friends that I need to get down to the V.A. and file a claim for service connected disability on this and PTSD; I am not at all sure that I did get HepC from the Army, I just seem to fit nicely into the demographic   gen068.gif

<a bit off-topic>I actually feel a to greater degree that I may have picked up Hep C from my 26 year employment in correctional facilities, where up to 40% of the prisoners are believed to be HepC infected.

In either case, I don't feel confident in being able to successfully assign responsibility, for purposes of compensation; as for treatment I'm getting-it-done on my own dime.

 



__________________

"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Scout


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 179
Date:
Permalink  
 

Airguns were my first thought. As well as working in labor and delivery at a Naval Regional Med center where there was a LOT of blood and people from a variety of cultures. Sterile technique was during the procedure in those days not after during the clean-up. However I'm the first to admit that I've lived a full life with a lot of experimentation. When I went through the paperwork with the VA it seemed to be a set up for failure. I've got reasonable insurance which has been very accomodating throughout my process and for that I'm greatful.



__________________

Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
mallani


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3398
Date:
Permalink  
 

Great article Tim. Airguns were not used here but they probably contributed to the high incidence.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
hrsetrdr


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 940
Date:
Permalink  
 

Here's another little piece I found interesting:

Link-    Gunned Down in Basic Training

 

 

 



-- Edited by hrsetrdr on Friday 13th of July 2012 07:15:57 PM

__________________

"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
hrsetrdr


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 940
Date:
Permalink  
 

U.S. Army~Vietnam veteran here, served in RVN '71-'72.  I never used IV drugs, nor had 'heavy' combat experience, but see a possibility of having been infected during one of a couple "jet gun" inoculation sessions.

Some food for thought:


http://www.hadit.com/forums/

http://vets.yuku.com/topic/23114#.T_yiKOHqWPI

http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files5/0531165.txt

 

 

I wouldn't know the first thing about documenting a claim, I rather doubt such is technically possible.   

 



__________________

"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Rich


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  
 

I served in Vietnam era . I was in the Navy 1974-77. I think I contracted the same ways hat Scout more than likely did. "Questionable activities".

__________________
Scout


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 179
Date:
Permalink  
 

I was a Navy Corpsman from 71-78. Probably where I picked up my HCV. Hard to say. I was right in there with the "questionable" activities group. For sure the US government isn't coping to my disease. I've been that route.



__________________

Geno 1a, Viral load at 2 4, 8, 12 and 16  weeks, UND, Triple therapy Incevek done,   Peg & Riba Done, UND and making plans for the future!!
mallani


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3398
Date:
Permalink  
 

The incidence of HCV in Vietnam Vets is alarming. Figures of 10-20% have been quoted in combat personnel, particularly from the Medical Corps. As I am fairly sure I contracted HCV while on active duty as a Medical Officer in the Australian Army in 1969-1970, I have followed every paper and publication on this since my HCV was confirmed in 1990.

It will be interesting to followup the Vets from the Gulf War, Iraq and Afganistan. I doubt whether we will see the same sorts of figures. Genotype 4 is common in the Middle East, and I am waiting to see any reports of an increase in this Genotype in the US. Also, WW2 and Korea did not show these dramatic figures.

Vietnam was a war fought mostly by conscripts, who hated being there, and used every means to get through their tour. IV drug use, tattoos, wild sex in places like Bangkok, exposure to unscreened blood may all play a part. I doubt this will happen in the professional soldiers now deployed around the world. Vietnam has a high incidence of HCV in the general population. Figures range from 5- 15% compared to less  than 2% in the US.

I spent 70% of my tour in the field, looking after about 800 troops. About 100 of these were US ( Artillery and Marines), and another 100 were ARVN (S. Vietnam Regulars). Alcohol abuse was widespread as was pot smoking. Heroin use was less common, and was usually smoked. STD was my most common condition treated!

It is difficult for a Vet. with HCV to prove it was acquired due to active service in Vietnam. The VA will dismiss any claim if HCV was acquired through IV drug use. The Australian DVA has accepted my cirrhosis was service related, but not HCV ??



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> For Vietnam Vets
Legal Disclaimer:

THIS FORUM, IT'S OWNERS, ADMINISTRATORS, MODERATORS AND MEMBERS DO NOT AT ANY TIME GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IN ALL CASES REFER ANYONE HERE TO SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.