Page 4-Opinions and Statements from Hepatitis C Vets

ADD TO....IDEAS, THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS THANKS SUE CONNELL

R21WOLVES@AOL.COM

My name is Sue Connell. My husband, Mike, USMC 69-73 has Hep C w level 4 cirrhosis. No needles, Tats or piercings. Same old story vets, "can't be service connected" and the fight continues. Unfortunately, I keep reading the same story over and over and over again like being stuck in a revolving door. (Reminds me of the movie "Groundhog Day"). All the stories here are come down to the same thing, Proving it ! I don't know why, but reading these posts again just made me realize that the proof is right here in front of all of us . The fact is everyone here "LITERALLY" needs each other to prove their case. Original or not, I have an idea, a suggestion, we need to have direct "Links" for the Vets (victims) and families of. Meaning, for instance my husband is a Vietnam Era Marine 1969-1973 'booting' in San Diego, Ca. I think just links for each 'service branch' in each 'era' with 'sub' links' as to each bootcamp would tell the story for all of us. 99% of what I have read is the "link" between AIR INJECTION GUN INNOCULATIONS and HEPATITIS C ! Lets start actually recruiting our HCVets in a 'FIGHT FOR JUSTICE' with a way for vets to 'connect the dots' . Basically, link the HCVet by category; It would provide statistics, evidence, etc., etc. I would be extremely motivated if I could go to a link , click on my wartime era, service branch, and where I did my bootcamp to post my story and see how many others were infected during the same time and place. It just makes sense, these Vets were forced to fight the war, fight the illness, are again fighting for their lives, and having to fight to prove it. Why not make it easier. They are worth it !!!! Please respond. Sincerely, Sue Connell emailed directly to HCVets "HCVets FIGHT FOR JUSTICE"

I was diagnosed with hepC in 1989. Until recently I assumed I contracted from my job as a firefighter prior to 1989. Then I read recently that I may have been exposed by vaccinations given while I was in the Marines from 1969-1973. I served in the states and 1 year in Japan, Okinawa and Thailand. I am unsure if this qualifies me for service connected health care or at what limit I would qualify.

keltecbob@yahoo.com

In service 1974-76, bootcamp, orlando florida. Then stationed aboard the USS Midway. Hep-c type 2. I had organ failure 3 years ago and tried Interferon but the doc stopped it 2 times because of mental issues. Hep c is killing me.Va is denying me benefits and I have had my claim for the 3 years to. I think we were inoculated with the hep c because we though it could be used like a vaccine.nice try but it didnt work. every person I know who served has it too.

lhughe29@embarqmail.com

I am currently a member of the United States Army. I believe that I contrated the HCV while I attended an Army Combat Lifesaver Course. I portion of the training received in this course deals with administering an IV. While I attempted to give another Soldier an IV, I was exposed to his blood. Soon after this event I donated blood, and through the blood screening process, I was informed of my disease. I enlisted into the US Army in 1991 and received jet gun vacinations as well.

chad.christenson@us.army.mil

USMC 1969-1973 Vietnam Vet..... I know I contracted Hep C from the injection guns in 1969. I have a fear of needles, have no 'TATs', no piercings, no iv drug use(duh), and have Hep C with level 4 cirrohsis. Go figure ! I have been married 3 times, VA says I'm being turned down due to ???!@#$ multiple sex partners #$%^&???? EXCUSE ME !!!!Have appealed. Anyone from Southern Oregon? I live in Merlin.

r21wolves@aol.com

I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2003 I am a viet nam vet 173 airborne ..... I get 100% disability my liver was showing high risks from the 1980s.... they never tested me untill 2003 I am pissed off I am older now and the treeatment is harder ... plus I have more problems I want to sue them ,,,,, is ti possiable???/ Martin Karnas

cme@aol.com

I submitted a claim for HepC as service-connected and was denied. The V.A requested Evidence of in seervice treatment of my HepC condition, when in he 1970's there was not a diagnosis of HepC, the diagnosis was not A, not B and was not to my Knowledge any specific treatment for the virus.The V.A. has my Recorded blood screenings to varify my liver levels, but the burden of proof and evidence is on me. The date of my entrance into the Army is Mar, 27 1973

Ziptop-1@hotmail.com

I came down with some kind of sickness in late 1970 while I was stationed in georgia. The army doctors performed all kinds of tests but no diagnois,except nerves.Later i was transferred to FT. BRAGG.I had more tests done but no diagnois;except nerves. I'm a NAM vet and was diagnoised with HCV in 1998 at a VA medical center.I've filed a claim for service-connected disability but was denied. I knew of no way I could have gotten it but I had an immune-globulin in the buttocks in 1990 and the VA assumes I got it that way. I would appreciate any INFO on whether or not I could have gotten this virus from an immuno-globulin intramuscular shot. THANKS!

mwells57@charter.net

could it be the shots by air gun?Is it not ok to talk about the drugs that were o handy. Im post Nam I have a claim for copd was discouraged from seeking assinstance pertaining to hep c.Would appreciate some sure nuff advice that is on the up and up Jerry don burkhalter sp4 army 75/77

jdburkhalter@dishmail.net

I have never used intravenous drugs, but I have Hep C. I believe I contact the Virus either via the use of automatic vaccines, during army indoctrination and periodic shots in preparation for deployment while assigned Rapid Deployment units.

ACABO DE SABER QUE TENGO HEPATITIS C.ENVIENME COMENTARIOS QUE ME AYUDEN A SOBRE LLEVARLA.GRACIAS. PLEASE I JUST FIND OUT THAT BI HAVE HEPATAITIS C, SEND ME SOME COMENTS SO I START KNOWING HOW TO LIFE WITH IT,THANKS.

pabloenrique54@yahoo.com

I served from 1978 to 1985 I am not a drug user never recieved a blood transfusson no tattooes the only thing that I could think of was the jetgun injection I recieved in the service I have hep c cirrois

ronmooney4@aol.com

I believe I contracted Hepatitis C while in the Air Force in 1980-81. I was vaccinated with airgun. Vividly remember the many being "cut" and bleeding before my turn and no sterilization between shots because of remarks of how fast we were herded like cattle through the process. During this time I also had oral surgery to remove 4 wisdom teeth and several dental exams. I was honorably discharged on a hardship discharge as my mother had MS. The fact being that one year after active service and a health file largest enough to get my father a meeting with the head of Barksdale AFB that ask my dad "we can let her out on a hardship due to your wife's condition or continue to treat a variety of illnesses". The hardship seemed this best answer at the time 30 years ago. I have no illegal or otherwise IV drug use, no tatoos, no transplants or transfusions, limited sexual partners prior to current marriage of 20 years.

vrmcdougal@gmail.com

Was in service 1975-1978, basic at Fort Ord. Have the HCV, on the treatment, just filed claim with VA. Was in Korea at Camp Red Cloud. Also had jet gun shots in basic. Had surgery on foot at Fort Hood. fredaa@enebraska.net

fredaa@enebraska.net

thanking u for good information of hcv.pleaze send a boook of virology related to hcv infectiopn

nasibzaman@gmail.com

thanking u for goood information of hcv

hi, i am a widow of a navy veteran that was exposed to those injections while serving wartime., (vietnam) era. 1971-1976. so that is where i think he got his hep c from. but no one will listen. and got dissaproved for service connection. thanks

cc49@verizon.net

Their is a direct link to hep c. Ater i got the injection, came down with it 30 days later, in the hospital at fort ord in 67. The Government was to cheap to buy throw away needles. Arnold Grold...I' you can prove a paper trail, you will get between 10 and 30%.

jjh81636@aol.com

I served in Vietnam, 1966-69 and was diagnosed with Hep in the 1998. I was in stage 4 at that time. I never used intravenous drugs or have any tatoos & I did not ever receive a blood transfusion. In 2003 I underwent a liver transplant. I have applied for VA benefits on 2 occasions and was denied. Has anyone out there received VA benefit for this condition? I would grately appreciated any help u can offer. Thanks JR

glorianjr@aol.com

I got a cervical spinal injury during the gulf war. When I came home , I was really having problems with this area. I had to have an operation on the C-5,C-6 area. This was a fusion done. I had blood transfusion in 12/1991 and here is where I got hep-c, because of the blood transfusion. Tell me what I can do in order for me to get compensation for this error by thje Veterans Hospital at Baltimore, Maryland James Jetango11@yahoo.com October 15, 2007 Time 0920hrs

jetango11@yahoo.com

I am writing to all the warriors of the Viet Nam Era. It has become more and more apparent to me that we are still taking causualties some 30 + years after Nam. We have 'agent orange' and the illustrious "HEP C" that more Vietnam Vets have than any other wartime era and things we may not even have a clue about. Therefore I would like to propose that a section of "The Wall" or a wall of it's own be dedicated to recognize the fallen that came home only to die some 30 plus or minus years later. Are we/they not causalties of war ? Brave Warriors Leave Us Not Go Quietly ! God Bless all my brothers and sisters of "The Nam"! Just another air gun innoculated Hep C recipient Marine 1969-1973 fighting 2 more battles.....The VA and To Live. Love Ya 411 No Tatts no IV drugs.....and no benefits.

r21wolves@aol.com

I am a gulf war veteran. When I was there. incoming scud missiles rained down on our position. The impact was so hard that I fell down and almost became paralyzed. When I came home, I had an operation on my cervical spine. During this process, I had a blood transfusion, which was positive for Hepatitis C. I did not have hep-c before going to the middle east. What should I do ??

jetango11@yahoo.com

I served on active duty with the USN from 1972-1976. I joined the active reserve after my discharge. I was diagnosed in 1988 (while still in the USNR) as having non-A, non-B, type C hepititis. In the early 90's, after a physical, I was told I had Hep C and I began to get treatment for it. I had no idea were I got it from because I was not in any risk group. The treatment I recieved did not work and I was told you will just have to wait (to die or get a transplant). On November 14, 2004 I recieved a liver transplant. I still have Hep C that is non treatable.

BURNING OF FECES AND BLOOD OVERSSES, UNCLEAN PORT-A-POTIES AND CONTAMINATED WATER OVERSEE'S.

I was diagnosed with HCV in 2001 as the result of a blood test administered by the va. I spent 10 months in military hospitals (Cam Rahn Bay, Valley Forge, St. Albans Navy Hospital) with a case of hepatitis that wouldn't go away. It was diagnosed as infectious hapatitis (A). Question: could it have been hep c at that time? If not it's quite a coincidence.

vmannina@nep.net

I am a Viet Nam Veteran (101st airborne 1969-1970). I am almost positive I contracted hepatitis C while serving my term. I was only 20 years old and had no knowledge of this disease. In fact, the first time I heard about hepatitis C was in 1972. I was giving blood during a blood drive and the doctor told me that I couldn’t give blood because it was contaminated. He thought I may have had hepatitis C. I went to the doctor for a blood test and it was confirmed that I did have hepatitis C. In fact, the doctor told me to have my girlfriend (now my wife) tested. She was negative. I never gave much thought to it over the years. Within the past 4 years I was tested again for hepatitis C and the results were positive. I also discovered I had sclerosis of the liver. I went to the local Veteran Office and filed for coverage. It was rejected because the military said there was no evidence that I contracted it in Viet Nam. Since then I have been reading various WEB sites which indicates that approximately 10% of the veterans who had hepatitis C caught it by handling wounded soldiers (specifically those with serious chest wounds) and some may have caught it because of air-gun vaccines. I experienced both of these situations. Below is statements were I always thought I have contacted the virus, but was ignorant to how you can contract it. While I was in the infantry and I handled soldiers who had serious chest wounds on at least four different occasions; two of which involved American soldiers while the other two involved North Viet Vietnamese soldiers. The first came when I was guarding a bridge, at night. I was called on the radio that some marines were carrying a wounded North Vietnamese into my site for evacuation. However, I was asked to examine the body to see if the person was still alive. They did not want to risk a night time evacuation if the prisoner was dead. The soldier had a serious chest wound and the marines and I tried to stop the bleeding. I can still recall holding a compact down on his chest. My hands and uniform were soaked with his blood. He died in my arms. I called and cancelled the evacuation. The second time occurred while I was on ambush. We killed 3 Viet Cong coming down a trail. One was still alive and I tried saving him by applying pressure on his chest wound. He died and the next day we had to evacuate him and the other two dead soldiers to lay on the side of the road in the nearby village. This was a common practice used to allow families to identify bodies and to use as a deterrent. In both of these situations I came into heavy contact with their chest wounds. I was trying to save them as prisoners. I had also been out in the field for several weeks and I am sure I had open scratches and open non-combat wounds. I was always sure that’s where I contracted hepatitis C. However, I had a major blood transfusion a couple of years later. I was told that since it was prior to 1980 it was likely that I contracted it then. I simply took their word for it even though I was diagnosed with having hepatitis C at least a year before the accident. I never kept records, so I have no evidence other than my wife’s testimony that she had to be tested.

nasutij@uncw.edu

I was in the army 1983 - 1987. There, I received immunizations with a "jet air gun" , and needles along with many outher people whos blould was intermingled because of poor medical procedures, shared razors, received dental treatment, had shoulder sergery, had blould taken by landard that was used over and over again on men who were stuck with the same insterment. After my time in the Army, I lived a clean life, and I was not exposed to any of the risk factors for hepatitis C. At my discharge, I receive service conected for outher conditions. When the Hepatitis C Test became avalible, the VA tested me. I was found to have the virus. Later, I was denied Service Conection for Hepatitis C, and adviced to not persist my claim on this matter or I would receive negative repercution. This threat was made by my VA Regional Office. 6 mo. ago, I compleated treatment and the virus is clear. Yet, simtoms still persist. Damage was done. My platelets are low. I have joint pain, numbness in my finger and toes. My muscles hurt. I have pain under my right rib. I experience forgerfulness and confution at times. I get angery or aggitated easy. Nobody, want to be aroung me any more. I geuss, I am no fun any more, or people are afraid of me. Some people think I might give them Hepititis C. They think of it like AIDS. My wife will not have sex with me. A doctor she was seeing said it is posible that she could possibly still get it from me. The VA doctors said this is very unlikely, but she is taking no chances. I am glad to be clear of the virus. Damage was done. I hope nothing else go wrong. Like getting some outher condition as that might be related to this. 09/2007. John D. Lumsden

jlumsden@550access.com

I served in C company, 168th Combat Engineer Battalion in Phuoc Vinh in III Corp in 1966. The III Corp area was one of the most heavily sprayed areas in the country along with parts of I Corp, from what I found when I researced Operation Ranch Hand. I have been bothered by joint pain, swollen feet and calves, and often severe itching for the last 30 years. I also started having protate problems even while I was still in country at the age of 19. I found out in 2001 I have hepatitis C and have probably had it for at the very least the last 30 years. I can no longer work, fatigue very easily, have at times pretty bad swelling in my feet and calves, and only find relief from the itching through the home remedies of my Vietnamese companion, namely milk thistle, dandelion extract, green and artichoke tea, and water hyssop cooked down and eaten. The Vietnamese call it rau deng bien, I believe. That's without the diacritics. Also, I've learned from my friend that drinking the juice after boiling corn on the cob tends to help alleviate some of the swelling I have. Possibly it works as a diuretic.

dennyboy@linuxmail.org

I am sure my HCV was contracted while in service as I have never subjected myself to high risk factors during or after service and have never had medical or dental care from any facility other than military or VA. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam war and received Munji inoculations in boot camp and prior to going over seas. I as well received major dental surgery while stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1964 and surgery for a perforated ulcer in 1979 at the VA Hospital in Portland Oregon.

highdefdiver@hotmail.com

My name is Larry Westbrook and I was diagnosed on 09/19/05, Hep C A1 though I had been suffering with the symptoms for several years on that date I finally understood why. I am a Viet Nam veteran and have had the jet guns as well as dental surgery while in service. Then after separation had a perforated ulcer surgery at the Veterans Hospital in 1979. I have never used needles or been promiscuous.

highdefdiver@hotmail.com

i have been diagnosed with hvc. no intraveenous use or tatas or piercings. i was in usn 86- 89 did get jet gun injections. i have worked in a prison as a gaurd for 14 tears tho.

brogjp@aol.com

I en-listed 5-20-73 through 5-20-76 during this time I do believe I have encounterd Hep-C during a routine of immunazations during that time. I was dianosed in 1999 with this disease. I had filed with the V.A. a coulple 3 years ago and I was denied a service connection. Has any one had success with this and is compensated for it ? Please respond and help-me. Thank You ! Sincerly , Marshall Bain c/o Concerned Vet 41 Harding Rd. Leoma,Tenn. 38468 931-766-2578

mrshllbain@yahoo.com

A close friend has liver failure caused by hepatitis c

V.A.granted 100 % disability after denial many thanks to all fabulos people who helped me along the way.hcv after second biopsy showed stage two fibrosus after 2 48 wk interferon rivivarin combination treatment left me w/ joint muscle pain and severe fatigue ocasional headaches and depression but Im still alive I think.

abryan007@yahoo.com

I had a operation at Clark AB Philippines and was given blood in 1982. I also believe I was contaminated during the mass vaccinations during boot camp in 1981. Still trying to raise my disability from 40% upward have a lot of secondary problems as well.

todochata@comcast.net

I am the spouse who contacted hep-c from my husband who served in the army during Viet Nam era. I must now begin treatment. Am I covered under Va Benefits?

I applied for disability for problem cause by Hep C the totally disabled me in 2002 and was turn down. the reason, I was my fault not there's. They agreed I contracted the disease while serving in germany but decline to take any of the responsibility. I am preparing to refile my claim and hire a laywer to help. I just don't have the skills and info to go up again a reluctant VA that doesn't want take the responsibility for the thousands of GI's that have contracted the disease. Anybopdy know how to help?

joelder222@yahoo.com

My Name is Oscar C. and I am an American Citizen now living in Brazil because at the time the Hep. C finale presented it self my own country would not believe that it was the super safe/super modern jet injector technique that had infected me and that I had to prove it!!! When I entered the navy I was seventeen years old. I went thru boot camp in Great lakes Ill. 13 weeks of living hell, or so I thought at the time! I remember the day we got our shout .It was soon after arriving at recruit training command. We were all shuffeled into a great hall bald and naked ( except for our draws) We went thru all the exams one by one , one after the other, quiet, not allowed to talk! Then after what I thought had been an eternity, I haerd the thunderous voice ring out. ( OK ladies , line up bedind this line one after the other - no taking - no grag assing - and If you know what is good for ya, when it is your turn - DON'T FLINCH. I thought that a odd thing to say, little did I know I was soon to find out why! If someone took the Chief's advice and stood still - the shoots were administered and YES there was BLOOD comming from the entry points of the vaccines, But if someone was a bit afraid or a bit jumpy and moved ever so slightly when the corpsmen (or they could even had been corpsmen strikers for all I know),pulled the triggers ti release the medication under super high pressure from the pneumatic system, The jet spray would cut your arm open like a razor! Many a recruit I saw sent off the the infirmary to get stitched up. There was blood every where . Did and one wipe the nozzles of the injectors, NO. Where any of the nozzles of the injectors changed, NO. Time was ticking and there were many recruits to inject and of course the staff wanted their rest time. All that I have told you up until now is just the beginning of my journey! That all took place ,as I said when I was seventeen years old ! Now I am 55 . When I was Discharged I got my Honoreable certificate and a clean bill of health , or so they told me. Over the next 25 years that slow killed was working on me and my liver. Eating away at it, doing what it does best , destroy all healthy liver tissue it can bit by bit. Now The Navy (and all the other armed forces knew about this silent killer after a few years had gone by and cases of Hep. C began to appear. They ran there study and came to the conclusion the their super duper jet injector was a piece of _rap! It prove to kill just as many American Service personnel as the enemy at the time which were the Vietcong! But not quickly, but sloowly and quietly like a thief in the night. It would years for the Hepatitis C virus to incubate and grow inside your body, and then begin its dirty work! But did they tell any one? NOO! They kept it quit, wel if something like this was to get out to the general public it could cost the military a fortune, and they could not have that, And Besides THOSE PEOPLE WERE EXPENDABLE ANYWAY RIGHT!! When I goined up , that is correct ,I stupidly joined the Navy. I signed up to fight the common enemy of our people , The American People! I expected to be shot at ( from the front) I expected to have some crazy jerk try and take my head off with some sort of sharp object! I hade all these crazy ideas of what could happen to me if anf when I saw action. But that 's OK, after that is what I signed up for!! But I did not sign up to have my our Government infrct me with a killer disease and not tell me about it! I never thought that when I found out and went to them for help that they deny all claime and that you ( the unfortunate jerk would have to prove to them something they already knew!! I found my information on the net in places like this one where other Vet's told their stories so that when read by us we would not feel alone (MALE OR FEMALE) We all served together! Eleven (11) years ago my Hep. C should it self for the first time, I turned the strangest shade of yellow you even say, my belly blew up loki a baloon - it was full of water (ascites) is the term. I would a times carry around gallons of fluid between (3 to 5 ) a few times it could (the water ) could be removed with medication, and when it could not , My midsection had to lanced in order to release the water and releive the pressure it was causing, besides robbing your body of presous nutrients needed to remain healty! That All Started in Hackensack, New Jersey. From there I went to various Hospitals - N.Y.U. Medical Center, Brooklyn Naval Hospital near Coney Island , well the list goes on but the answer was always the same , ( A transplant - which is what you need and soon - costs a great deal of money ! At the time If memory serves was between 150,000 and 250,000 depending where you went and that is with out meds. They would not even cosider the transplant if you did not have the Meds covered, PERIOD. Well I and my wife were living on 900.00 a month SSI, and there was no way that I could afford a transplant, alone!!! My wife is a Brazilian National so she turned to me and said," lets go by to my country, I have family there and GOD willing we will get by! So in May, 2002 I left the Big Apple and have been here since. Now My wife is a fighter , thank GOD. I had been given two chemotherapy treatments in New York, so we continued them here! And It was those treatments that kept me alive ( you see I had develeped end stage liver disease and cancer of the liver) until the Brazilian Government found me a donor organ, which was tough because I am a B+ and that blood type is rare here! But that is not my entire story , I will leave the rest for those that are interested ,just e-mail me. The latest is that now after my transplant, The VA in all their wisdom is telling me that "Now that you have had your liver transplant and are cured!" CURED, are they kidding or what? We are going to start cutting your benefits! Even after a transplant you are never cured. You are alive,YES. For how long, NO ONE KNOWS. Will you Reject your new liver, NO ONE KNOWS! Will you have to take medication for the rest of you natural life, (natural life - thats rich - you are already living on borrowed time ) YES and the side effects of that medication are almost as the symptoms of Hep. C , not to mention the cost of those meds. Hey wait a minute here guys, how Am I suppose to live for the rest of my life, You took away my health, the last 11 if not 25 years of my life in which I could have produced something to sustain my self? In a case like ours the benefits should be for life, ( how ever long or short that is ). Or perhaps we should start calling them court settlements or lawsuites with damages?? What do you guys think?? Think about it , if you are young - think of all the things you will never do, and if you are older like me - think about your families and about when you are gone! The thing that getts to me the most is the shame I feel about my own Country - Don't get me wrong , The United States of America is the best Country in the world, but The shame comes in when I think of how they turned their backs on me and left me to die. How a Foreign Government (just because I was married to lady from that Government - The Brazilian Government ) took me in Cared for me treated me, and let me tell you the cost of some of the medications even by American standards was expensive, How they searched until they found a liver for me , not having the money to ge to the south of Brazil, (I live in the north-east part of Brazil) flew me and my wife there, paid for the transplant, paid for the hospital stay, and to this day If ther is anything I need , they orovide it for me. Why do I feel ashamed - What did I even do for them??? I never offered them my body to use as a fighting machine - like I did my own Country!!! Well that is one heck of a stroy - but it is all true, and if you want to hear the rest ,contact me oscarc@digizap.com.br Don't give up - keep kicking , and if you think the grim reaper is coming for you - write the Prez. everyone and tell them - Hey you forgot about US - YOUR CHILDREN - YOUR SOLDIERS ! Bye for now Take care - In my heart I am with you!!! OC

oscarc@digizap.com.br

I am currently a paralegal. Veteran's Law Clinic advocate at Widener Univeristy School of Law. We are in Delaware. I currently have a client who's case I am representing in October. We willl be in Washington D.C. before the BVA. I was windering if there's anyone who served in the Army during 1975 around March who was stationed at Fort Hood,TX who now has Hep C? Please help us with our case! We would appreciate it. It would really stink for us to go way down there and to loose out due to not enough evidence. Thanks and God Bless you all!

vldavis@mail.widener.edu

i have a? about hep c, can you have kids. and not give the hep c/

scottyust@yahoo.com

I have worried for years about how I may have contracted HCV. As a last resort doctors seem to go for that old sex excuse. If you have had multiple (that is as few as two) partners in your life, they jump on that. I have never done drugs and though I have had a couple major operations, I have never received blood that I know of. I was in basic training in 1968 and lined up for the air injection immunizations with all the other women. I too remember the warnings about standing still or it would slice your arm. I remember my barracks mates getting sick that night after the Hong Kong flu shot. All sorts of reasons were given at the time, but now I wonder how many were actually getting HCV. I am lucky and have few symptoms, but I am hearing more and more stories of people who are really very ill and have no resources. We signed a contract, people. The government implied they would take care of us. The disease is here, there is nothing we can do to take it back, but we need help from the government that was so careless.

have hcv,i think i got infected from airgun march1975,Got exteremely sick in service.high fever,fatigue,they couldn't find anything wrong

vaykbob@aol.com

I am a vietnam era veteran, I first entered the military through the United States Marine Corps on August 12, 1974. During Marine Corps boot camp I was given "two" inoculation shots with an air gun when I was only supposed to receive one. When I was given my first shot -the corpsmen did not change needles or wipe off the air gun between shots while blood was flying all over the place from the air gun- I grimiced because the corpsman was not gentile when he administered the shot. The Drill Instructor said to me "oh, so you think this is funny huh? I said "no sir, the shot hurt the Private". The Drill Instructor told the Corpsman to give me another shot. The Corpsman did as he was told and and me another shot -still not changing any needles in the air gun or wiping it off-. Later that night when I was in my bunk, I broke out in huge hives, my tounge swole out of my head and I was in such agonizing pain that I could not walk and had to be carryed to the emergency room four miles away on the backs of four other Marine Corp recruites because there were no ambulances available. After being examined by the medical doctor on duty there he told me that although my body was covered in hives and my tounge was swollen out of my head, he thought that I was faking. The doctor then gave me another shot of penicilian. I immediately vomited and past out. It was determined that the three shots given to me that day at least caused me to be alergic to penicilian and caused the onset of having hepititas "C". From that day in 1974 I have felt sick with the effects of hepititas "C" and was always told by military medical personnel that it was just a normal reaction to the anoculation shot -an air gun was used every time-.

trhcthesecond@yahoo.com

Hi everyone.In 2006 I was diagnoised with Hepatitis C&B with schirrios of the liver.I filed a claim for service connection in 03/06 due to air injection vaccine and included other possible causes,sharing razors,nail clippers,having dental surgey,recieving serval stitches for auto accident and sexaul transmitted disease.Needless to say I was denied the first time around even though I had well documented evedience,including a doctors nexus letter.I have appealed their decision and have since gotten 2 more doctors nexus letters stating in their opinion I contracted my Hepatitis from the air injection vaccine.I have done a lot of research through the internet and felt I should share this to some of you who may not be aware of it.The liver foundation has stated that schirrios of the liver can come from,"prolonged enviromental exposer to toxin" which I believe Agent Orange is.I have read a lot of denied clams from the VA stating,"based on the veteran not being treated or diagnoised with hepatitis c while in service the claim is denied".Hepatitis C was not found out about until the year 1989 ,so of course anyone before then could NOT be treated or diagnoised with it.According to a report Asian-Pacific Americans ,hepatitis B is up to 150 more common in asians than general population of the united states.I have never used injection drugs,no tatoos,no body piercing,I drink a beer from time to time,and I have never had a blood transfushion.I will continue to find as many facts of this disease and how else I could have gotten it and I will continue to fight for my service connection of Hepatitis C&B with schirrios and I suggest you fellow veterans do the same.The only way to win is to keep fighting.Thanks for reading this and I hope it will help some of you.

suzieqracing@yahoo.com

Hi everyone.In 2006 I was diagnoised with Hepatitis C&B with schirrios of the liver.I filed a claim for service connection in 03/06 due to air injection vaccine and included other possible causes,sharing razors,nail clippers,having dental surgey,recieving serval stitches for auto accident and sexaul transmitted disease.Needless to say I was denied the first time around even though I had well documented evedience,including a doctors nexus letter.I have appealed their decision and have since gotten 2 more doctors nexus letters stating in their opinion I contracted my Hepatitis from the air injection vaccine.I have done a lot of research through the internet and felt I should share this to some of you who may not be aware of.The liver foundation has stated that schirrios of the liver can come from,"prolonged exposer to toxin" which I believe Agent Orange is.I have read a lot of denied clams from the VA stating,"based on the veteran not being treated or diagnoised with hepatitis c while in service the claim is denied"Hepatitis C was not found out about until the year 1989 so of course anyone before then could NOT be treated or diagnoised with it.According to a report Asian-Pacific Americans hepatitis B is up to 150 more common in asians than general population of the united states.I have never use injection drugs,no tatoos,no body piercing,I drink a beer from time to time,and I have never had a blood transfushion.I will continue to find as many facts of this disease and how else I could have gotten it and I will continue to fight for my service connection of Hepatitis C&B with schirrios and I suggest you fellow veterans do the same.The only way to win is to keep fighting.Thanks for reading this and I hope it will help some of you.

suzieqracing@yahoo.com

Jet guns for giving shots, dentist not wearing gloves and while I station in Korea 1967 our mess sgt came down with hipatitis and we all had to get g.g. shot that hurt like hell. If you need to call me my cell number 704.661.4611

sspc50@hotmail.com

need help applying for benefits. just learned I was exposed to hep.c in vietnam

eagleb ear70@verizon.net

I was just diagnosed with hip c and from my research on the internet I know it had to be by jet injector shots and maybe when I was station at Camp Ethan Allen Korea in 1967 our mess sgt came down with hipatitis and we all had to get the G.G. shots for protection. All veterans who received shots by Jet injectors should be tested for hipatitis c every year. I was tested a year ago & it came back neg I was retested this year and it came back pos. Over 60% of vietnam era veterans have hip c so please get tested.

sspc50@hotmail.com

In 1985 I was on active duty, and on leave in Kentucky. I had a medical problem that took me to the Hospital in Kentucky. During my stay there I had to have surgery and nearly died. During this ordeal I recieved 8 units of untested blood. Now 22 years later I was told that I have Hep c. I have not taken any medication as of yet. I would like to know what to do about filing a disability claim. Thanks, Clyde Sallee

salleec@cox.net

I am a infected veteran 1974-1980 with Hep C-3rd Stage Liver Diease and of course denied compenstation for it.Even though my va doctors and their heptitis experts state that i have had it a least thirdy years and i have been out of the service only 27 years and i served six years, the va says NOPE. I am in the mist of filing my notice of diagreemnt when a horrible thought crossed my mind. Do any of you remeber the four day passes we got for donationing blood and what or where was that blood used. my heart is heavy now because i fear for those who recieved my blood as well as my self who recieved blood. and i bet uncle sam would give a difenite impossilbe means of infections to this question all i can say to my fellow brothers and sisters dont take no for an answer dont let uncle sam get by using their short mind risk factors as means to deny thousands of us veterans, I know that when i stood in that line to get my air jet injections that the five or six women a head of me and myself were not swabbed with alchol swabbs before the shots and had blood rings on our arms from the gun being pressed against our arms. I am asking God to grant us peace and better health. That uncle sam will accept their responiblity in spreading this illness.

meparsons2@msn.com

My name is arnold. I went into the service 11-25-66. at arund the time I went in I recieved a series of injectin shots, that literally ripped my skin opened about 6 centimeters. about 25 days later, I turned bright yellow. my urine was amber, stool soft. that was the belerubin from the liver. I did not use iv drugs. i drank 3.2 beer at the time. I could not eat. In the Hospital there was about 50 other solders that had hep c. I did recover, howevever I was never told the severity since there was no way of knowing what exactly I had. At that time they called it serum hep. 42 years later I now have a very long claim inc. hep c. which was noted on the medical paper work. Everybody, you need some kind of paper trail, that can show you were treated while in the service. all the doctors were telling me, come on, your enzimes our low, you don't need a liver biopsy. In spite of them, I did have a liver biopsy. I have genotype 3. this number goes from 1 to 4. the lower the number, the longer your on the pegasis interferon and ribaviran i think. because my number is 3, I take this product for 6 months. I have a viral load of 300,000? the doc. says thats pretty low. I guess because I don't drink. The main thing is alot of psychs. our affraid that if you had depression, in any form, the interferon may make you suicidal. All I can say is that everything was noted on the med. report depression ,anziety, ptsd etc. Please feel free to email. again ljh81636@aol.com

ljh81636@aol.com

As a Vietnam veteran, I remember the medical personnel using the air guns on us for immunizations and telling us not to move or flinch while the shot was being given to us or it could cut our arm. To this day, I can still see the blood running down the upper arms of those who flinched and the medics using the gun going immediately on to the next soldier like in an assembly line.

rrblack@bellsouth.net

frank lijoi cna

Semper fi,, If only our country had this same motto,,,,, I went to vietnam in 70 at the time I was a healthy and no drug use or tattos, after nam I was discharged with seizures service connected, and compainsated at 20 % and also service connected for hep a /b but 0 compansation. Today along with residules of hep A/B I am now going through treatment for hep /c and trying to get help in any way to show the conection or be compansated so I know longer have to decide to eat or pay rent again thanks America (any Ideas would be appreicated) allensev2000@yahoo.com

allensev2000@aol.com

I found out in 1995 that I was Hep-C Positive. I found that the "Dragon" was introduced through surgery to correct reflux problems. At that time,1982, the Army was not even checking blood for hepatitis "Other" as they called it in those days. I was stationed at Presidio of San Francisco and they bought thier blood products from the tenderloin district where the homeless,drug addicts and drunks sold thier blood for another fix. I found out I was not eligible for the VA treatment program in Denver bacause I had a bad heart, was on morophine for stenosis of the spine due to two VA surgeries and 7 spinal taps plus one discography that set loose bone matter into my spinal fluid. I have found that two capsules of Milk Thistle every day has helped to lower my liver panels rather than let them get out of control. Other than that I am still waiting like the rest of you for a cure for this nasty "Dragon" that makes my liver ache and is one of the components of my 100% disability that make my life hell as I am so tired after short bits of driving or light housework.

mwsunday@msn.com

I recieved the air injection system in 66 or 67 I came yellow and was very ill. I'm not an I.v. user. Since then my hep. turned to hep 3, almost cancer, Yhe liver trans plant is a temporary fix. The body usually rejects it. It's a death warrent. The Va does not recognize that if you shoot up alot of people without wipeing the sytinge, your going to get hep c. We should be compensated, from the last statistics I heard was from 0- to 10 percent.

in 1992 I was diagnosed with HCV and liver necrossis my gastroenerologist had informed me at the time that he belived I had contracted the infection some 15-17 years prior someware between my active duty years of 1975-1978 I never used intravenous drugs or had a blood transfusion I did participate in blood drives on a monthly basis both on base and to the red cross my belief that it was caused by some inoculation I recieved in bootcamp after recieving the smallpox inoculation I developed a infection at the that never healed I reported to sickbay several weeks lated with a high fever I was told by the medic it was probibly the flue and he perscribed some tylenols I was given my orders and went home on leave sick as a dog I recovered thinking every thing was OK and reported to my duty station to this day I still have a punture wound on my right shoulder years later I started to feel unusualy fatugued and I went to the VA for treatment they confured my civilian doctors diagnosis I was treated with alpha intereron three times which resulted in failed theropy now I have stage 1 liver cirrosis and a positive alpha feta protein result indicating a live tumor, I've been on social security dissability for the past 9 years my condtion is continueing worst any suggestion woul be appreciated

richpellegrinofl@hotmail.com

I got contracted hep c from the air injection system in the sixties. They failed to wipe the air injector with alcohol, mayber every ten shots. I went into incubation, turned yellow and was in the hospital 6 weeks later. I di not use I.V. drugs. I had geotype 3 with a vial load of 300 thousand. Im taking the injection and two pills in the moning and 2 at night. I take one shot every week. So far, I'm not sick. genotype type 3 is very treatable. Only 6 months. I guess I'm lucky Arnold

ljh81636@aol.com

Back in 1972 joined the army, got in air-jet vaccinations and spent time in germany. Just took Hep C test, came back positive, and I'm starting to search about how I might have contracted this. Anybody that has a similar situation, let me know. I'm now waiting for blood test results and from what I'm reading, this very well could have been miliary related...gary

gary@lakewoods.net

I am not now receiving treatment of hcv due to drug interaction. I was in combat, and this could be a reason ,moving the wounded to LZ, blood contact was impossible to advoid. also bloody equipment, and just plain blood pool. I also received the jet air gun injectrions, once in bootcamp and again prior to going to VN. Conditions at time of injection was as unsteralized as could be , multi injections and multi use vials, may have caused my disease. WE MUST PUSH HARD TO BE RECPGNIZED AND GIVEN THE RESPECT WE DESERVE, AND MAKE HCV A SERVICE CONNECTED INCIDENT

reugeneor58@aol.com

I went into the army in 66-69 I got a air shot 6 weeks later I was in the Hospital for 16 days. My face turned yellow and skin and eyes. I know for a fact thatthey no longer use this type of syste, they use dispseable needles, it,s just another way the V.A. saves money. Arnold

i need to find out info on contracting hep c from air gun when i had shots i got sick with in seconds of getting them shortness of breath and plastic feeling all over skin whitch they said would go away (threeyears later )then i found out i have hep c- i recieved shot in 1991 at fort knox kentucky i need to find out where i can be treated

blazer_restoration@sbcglobal.net

I`m looking for Mr. John Shumate, he is in San Antonio Tx on Broadway St. He is a Tattoo man. Can you give me his phone number please?

abueladepelos44@hotmail.com

I was in the army from November 25 1966 to january 17 1969. I received the air injection system and it went into incubation several weeks later. I was Hospitalized for about 17 days. I came down with hep c. I put in for my service connection 10 months ago. It was noted on my military paper work. I also have ptsd. To get to the point, I talked to a Mrs. Hines Who was a rater and has worked for the va for 35 years. most of the raters don't feel that the air injection system is the problem and at the very most, if you our dyeing they may or may not rate you at 10-30 %, if they believe you. I'm starting interferon and one pill a day. there our four levels to this dease. 1. fatty tissue and enlarged liver. 2. fibrosis. 3. cirosis. 4. cancer. I'm in stage 2. I hope it works. good look. The government wants you to go to war, but they don"t want to compensate. Arnold

ljh81636@aol.com

I was a Med Tech, 92B20 -- slogging through massive numbers of human serum samples from Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC) -- Automated Chemistry department of MedLab. I ran the Sequential Modular Automated Computerized (SMAC) Auto-Analyzer and worked the emergency labs at BAMC and Beach Pavilion. I was an excellent soldier, and was offered a 10K re-up bonus as I was good troop -- PFC to E5 -- with a honorable discharge. No other opportunity for infection. We'll see what happens.

tgeorgulas2548@theupsstore.com

I was a medic in the air force from 1966-1970 and had all my injections done with the jet guns. Later I was found with hepatitis c and have now filed a claim for compensation..Also while a medic we never used gloves nor were they made available but i was exposed to blood and all manner of bodily excreations every day.when i went into the air force i did not have hep c, and i did not have a discharge exam to rule out hep c. But no body was really looking for hep c at that time 1970.

shoeee05@aol.com

I had surgery in 1965 while in the military, lost a little blood the best of memory, not sure how much, never did any drugs not even weed, didn't smoke, not a big drinker, in 2004 started losing weight, been going to the VA in Alexandria, La for the past 10 , ask why I was feeling sluggish and also my AST, ALT were getting a little high they felt don't worry, well I changed from a N.P. to a real Doctor and he immediately said I feel you have Hep C, he was right and after the liver bio I know have stage 4 cirrhosis, they the VA should require these NP's to go over these vets blood they right in front of them. my Name is Jimmy Watson, not only that but they really didn't want to treat me, they kept putting me off, come back, I finally got tired of driving 200 miles and called the VA in Washington D.C. and finally got service only talk before that, like I said I'm being treated at the VA Hospital in Alexandria, La, this could be improved so much, when you drive in the gates it says Veterans Hospital thanks

parker2663@bellsouth.net

We are real manufacturers and exporter of all Kinds of Manicure & Pedicure Instruments(Cuticle Nippers, Nail Cutters, Nail Files, Foot Scrapers)and Scissors(Barber Scissors,Thinning Scissors,Hairdressing Scissors,Cuticle Scissors and Grooming Scissors)Also we are manufacturing and exporting Titanium PVD(Physical Vapor Deposition) Coated Hair Cutting Scissors & Nippers.Titanium Coating is available in Rainbow,Blue,Purple and Bee Gold Colors. Orebro International Sialkot,Pakistan www.orebroint.com

orebroint@orebroint.com

I contracted hep c from the jet guns and was denied a claim from va because I have used drugs in the past intravenously so that was thier rational

I am a military retired Viet Nam era veteran. While I was working down range as a civilian I found out I was infected with hep C with liver cirrhosis an diabetes at the same time and had to resign my job because of the chronic effects of the illness itself and the treatment. After a year of self stomach injections the Peg treatment failed as my liver is already at the 3 level. I filed a claim with the Pittsburgh VA Regional office and was denied because they said my records were silent for hepatitis C. For lack of a better expression this was an "out-right lie". I have a notorized copy of my military medical records and when I screened it, I found, documented right there in plain english that I had contracted Non A, B Hepatitis. It even specified an onset date of the disease. As it is now known in the health care community that what used to be considered Non A, B Hepatitis is todays general bio for Hepatitis C, designated in 1989. So I sent in a notice of disagreement along with a copy of the med log entry and asked them to reconsider their decision based on an inadvertent error as to my records being silent. After waiting three years for just a re-look decision from the VA I received another Statement of the Case. And as you may have already expected I was denied again. But the reason for the denial changed completely. This time they stated while I was in stationed in germany (back in 1972) on my first enlistment, I had made a statement that I admitted to drug abuse. They went back that far to discredit me. I have never had any illegal intravenous drug use. My first enlistment was in 1971-73. I came back in the army in 1976 and did twenty (20) years straight. When I returned in 1976 after passing all medical physical exams I was classified as A-1, a near perfect specimen. I received the jet gun inoculation as a recruit in 1971 and again in 1977. I have seen the effects of what that jet gun can do. If you were afraid or nervous and moved, even a little, in the process of getting tagged by the medical cadre, it would slice you like a surgical knife. As we were in a line or single file type formation some of the recruits would see the blood of the individual ahead them and faint before they were injected. They jet gun you, push you a step up to the next medic who will tag you on the other arm, recruit, after recruit, after recruit. They would wipe your skin with alcohol before the inoculation but not the jet gun. I received my Yellow Fever vaccination as a recruit at Fort Jackson, S.C., prior to my assignment to the Panama Canal Zone in 1977, to which eight (8) month afterwards was annotated in my records I had contracted the disease. No one ever sat me down and told me I had this disease and let me continue to deteriorate these many years. If I had known I would tried to do something about it. They disregarded other significant risk factors as well. I was assigned to three medical elements when I was in the army as an admin specialist, Office of the Command Surgeon, USAREUR/7th Army, 7th Medical Command, Germany, and the 2nd Combat Support Hospital (2CHS), Fort Benning, Georgia. Just because I don't carry a health care military occupational specialty (MOS) , doesn't mean will not suffer the same risk to exposure as a health care worker. I worked in the hopital on these assignments and deployments, in the field, and other fixed care facilities. This is common knowledge in the army that if you are a support MOS and assigned to specialty unit, you suffer the fate of that unit be it infantry, airborne, artillery, armor or medical as well. With all the well grounded evidence the VA local still wants to nigate or stifle my claim. I sense a malevolent agenda. Whatever happened to giving the veteran the benefit of the doubt. So here I am. Homebound, vision and hearing fading, nausea every day, depressed, no appetite, losing weight, irregular sleep patterns, angry and slowly deteriorating when I had just gotten re-married and then like a ton of bricks everything crushed having to leave such a great job down range with the Department of Defense because of this chronic illness. I think it's a shame to have to go through such unprofessional degrading from the VA after so many year of faithful government service. I came in the army when I was 16 years old. But I will not give up my fight because I was a soldier....and well...........that's what we do! We made a lot of sacrifices and a lot of people died for us to have this benefit should we need it. Feel free to contact me to share info or give assistance in this matter. And remember WWI veterans were gunned down on the mall by local police in Wash, D.C. for us to get the VA started upon returning home to the depression, poverty, unemployment, and the lack of health care for the veterans and their families after such a great personal sacrifice in respect to a committment for our nation.

jan3john@hotmail.com

hep-c. will they build another wall? the wall around me is pretty big. the sicker i get, the more they lay on the meds. i actually told doc. they did it on purpose, so i wont be able to fight case. asked me if i could get a statment from guy behind me in shot line. yea sure. my vet rep. what a waste of space. i do my case better. never drank or smoked. now want both. we here in my state have a hep-c day this month. bike rally type thing. hard to ride when sick. side car? why cant they just give it up. i did. some gave all.all gave all. ya give and give. no gratatude. or retirement. just more of same ol same ol.

I won’t even go back to the VA anymore because of the way they have skewed the facts to lie about all this, but shortly after receiving the inoculations I started getting sick, and the end result was a process of humiliation where after three months and nineteen days I was released from the service after supposedly taking a large dose of phenobarbital that the doctors gave me for migraines and a stomach disorder. I have no idea whether I really took all those drugs or not but at the time I went along with whatever the doctors said, and pretty soon I was home again in a state of humiliation. Then, back in the early 70s and the doctors actually misdiagnosed my condition, because I was working in a plastics plant for the man who is credited with making polyvinyl chloride safe for workers with the product and I was a part of his employee line which actually produced these results, they thought my symptoms were as a result of vinyl chloride poisoning. When the doctors first explained that my suffering (liver and pancreas damage) was because I had been poisoned by vinyl chloride, I did a poor me and then I got real drunk and I actually felt soo sorry for my self that I wasn’t very interested in stopping drinking. Also, because I was in a great deal of pain at the time, so the doctors gave me a few prescriptions for morphine, and back in those days although morphine was certainly a controlled drug I found it rather easy to find at least three drugstores which gave me an unlimited supply of the morphine as long as I had at least one prescription on file (which made my use illicit). I never used a dirty needle because it all came from the three drugstores that provided me with my supplies, and I have never tried to indicate that attaining and using the drug the way I did was anything but illicit, but, to make a long story a bit shorter, although at first, my use of the morphine that the doctors gave me was only for the pain, I soon learned that it helped with my newfound problem of uncontrollable drinking as well, at first causing me to become completely functional when I was otherwise nothing but a falling down drunk and later offering me the opportunity for a drug induced form of sobriety where-in-by I could finally say “no, I will not die”, and then and only then did I begin to try to make changes in my life to fight this thing that the doctors had said I had no chance against, and after a very long process of trying almost everything that the more conventional medical model had to offer, I finally was able to make the changes I needed. After that I got involved in trying to help others, first in terms of volunteer work in jails and prisons, and later became a co-author of what is now New York State's existing Alternative To Incarceration Program for Drug and Alcohol Offenders, the author of the largest Up-State Medicaid Service Provider Agency for Drug and Alcohol Offenders, a Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Recovering Disabled Drug and Alcoholics, etc., etc., and together with the lobbying efforts of the former Julio A. Martinez, NYS Commissioner of Substance Abuse, a principle author of what is now the existing NYS Alternative to Incarceration Program for Mentally Retarded. In fact, back in the 90s, when I was working in the field of mental retardation, providing direct services and many of the clients I cared for had HCV. In their case, back in the 60s and 70s the government had contracted with the pharmaceutical companies to infect them and try various treatments to overcome the disease. No one believed they would live very long anyway, and it was seen as a way to help finance their care. I mean, no one believed they would live very long anyway, but they did, and it was my job to provide care to them, and at first in 2002 when the VA doctors told me I had the hepatitis virus I had assumed I must have gotten it from my care of the mentally retarded. I explained all of this to the doctors at the VA, but the VA doctor said no I didn’t get it from my work with the mentally retarded or otherwise, and went on to say that the diagnosis of vinyl chloride poisoning was also in error and the underlying problem is that I was infected with Hepatitis-C along with many many others as a matter of what the army claims was improper the inoculation procedures. (I am skeptical of this claim because in working with the mentally retarded I discovered that during exactly the same time period many of the institutionalized mentally retarded clients had been purposely infected Hepatitis-C virus so that the big drug manufacturers could study their reactions to various drug treatments over time.) In fact, the way the VA doctor stated it was to say “gee I’m sorry, you got this virus from the air gun inoculations and the problem is that we didn’t know what we were doing back then.” None of what I told the VA doctor, and for that matter what the VA doctor told me, was entered into my chart. Instead, my chart indicates that because I had IV drug use it was not service connected. Bull shit! I won’t even go back to the VA anymore because of the way they have skewed the facts to lie about all this. Bill Greene

wm@greenes.us

I was injected with these both in boot and before deployment to the middle east (1988 & 91). Nobody could ever explain to me why I was infected where the air gun injection went in for nearly two years? I haven't been tested for Hep but will. I still have a scar from the infection and my immune system is THE WORST. Glad I found your site.

autigerlance@yahoo.com

I like everyone else remember getting shots in my basic training processing line with an air gun. The private administering them would dip a towel in a bucket and wipe the nozzle off. He said don't move or this thing will slice you. Sound sanitary? Even though HIV and HEP c were not in the publics attention there should have been concern for our health because of herpes and the like. Saving money was the main concern by procuring such a system which was realy devoluped for cattle. Who approved it for humans? I have only shared blood one time in my life. And that was it. I shared blood with 30 other guys in basic training. Now I have HEP c.

Something is very wrong with our country when a illegal alien can get bennefits easier than a disabled Veteran. Its time for all Veterans, and baby boomers to unite, and dump their traditional political parties. We have the power to start a 3rd party, and give a wake up call to our worthless wimp politicians. Martin Knight

skihoot@coastnetworx.com

i am a veteran served 74-80 diagnoised postive 2004 third stage liver diease recently denied va docs say i have had it 30 years. now ive been out 27 years va states none of my multiple surgies reported any commplications no dental work done. no tranfussions with reactions WHAT are they saying that there was no way possilbe i could have became infected by surgiacl means and i have been telling the va for years thaey dont have my complete file just to show you i had intensive denal work in germany and at fitzsimons army medical center in colorado.in suffering the statements i was realy interested in the ones stationed at fort carson colorado i was stationed there from 74-77 post headquarters company. now here is the real kicker for over 20 years plus i had to fight the va system to recieve a decent disability from 83-2002 they denied my claim for migraine headaches. what makes this ironic i cant be treated if the va wanted to treat me. my migraines are so server that they are afraid i will stroke out or have the big one. i also suffer from diabetes II , high blood pressure, have a non functing thyroid with all the lovley effects from hyprothyroidism, vision migraine and distubances, mood swing and aniexty, just to name a few. can any one answer me why the va cant count thirdy years ago put me one years out of boot camp and at fort carson. the@@@@ even tried to use things from my past that i reported to them such as being a battered wife. i served my country and i served it proudly but my county has screwd me royalily

meparsons2@msncom

i guess i am one of the lucky ones, my claim just came back(was being processed over 1 year), i was granted serv conn for hep c. it is too lenthy to go into details but if you e mail me i will try to help.

fasteddy37@cox.net

jpcrouse@bellsouth.net

yep, its the old air gun I really think,blood running down the arms of 80 guys in front of you and no wipe anything off. I an not a brain surgen! I also remmber them using needs more than once. (over seas shots) Now my wife is half dead and I am very on my way, I am sure she got it from me.. hell of a fact! Okay VA we need help,,,now !!!!!!!! Viet Nam two purple hearts dam that word blood apears again.....Mad as hell!

tyeaman@hotmail.com

I found out I had non-specific hepatitis in 1977 in Mannheim Germany when donating blood. I was on active duty and had been donating on a regular basis. I believe I may have been infected by using another person's razor or by coming in contact with tools that may have had blood on them in the motor pool where I worked.

gliebermann@earthlink.net

As a viet nam era vet, I had my wisdom teeth removed in Germany. It was a bloody procedure. The dentist pulled the instruments out of the drawer. Months later, I was hospitalized for hepatitis. It was negative for Hepatitis B, so they assumed it was A. Now, 30 years later, I was diagnosed with Hep C, with no other risk factors. It has progressed to Cirrhosis and liver cancer. I submitted a claim, had good documentation. It has been 2 years, and is still stuck in the system. Can you give me any other advice?

Randy_Hardee@hotmail.com

I entered the USMC and I was hit with the airgun. I am not a iv drug user but i was told today i have hep c.

ysraal2003@yahoo.com

hellokittycancer15@yahoo.com

air gun shots during basic training

ggamble@bellsouth.net

i am currently going through the ssi process and veterans disabilities b.s. I was in country during the vietnam war stationed in the rose garden in thailand . we still recieved the same shots. If anyone can can give me some pointers iut would be apprieciated semper fi

madamclyde@hotmail.com

My husband was in the Marine Corps from 1966-1970. He was just diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He has no history of any risks for HCV except for his military service. He has never been exposed to blood products, has never done drugs and hasn't had alcohol since he became a Baha'i in 1969. He's the most straight-laced guy I know, which is why it made me so angry to find out he has HCV and that he got it in the military 40 yrs ago and no one ever told him to get tested. Not only has his liver had a chance to deteriorate over this 40 year period but he can't even count the number of times he's donated blood to the Red Cross, exposing countless others!

ptgalloway@comcast.net

My only sibbling died recently. He found out in 1999 he had Hep C. He never did any of the things that are listed as ways of transmission. After he found out he had it he would tell me that the Drs thought it was from when he was in the Air Force. He was stationed at Malmstrom Montana after training in 1977 he worked on the EB/57E and went on lots of TDYs because he was under NORAD. Later he went to Hill and worked on the F-16 when is was new. He his medals were the Good Conduct Medal, and the AF Longevity plus Airman of the month. I am his only survivor and his death has hurt worse than anything I have ever experienced. He worked for one of the airlines and had been with them almost 25 years his health was going downhill fast and he kept telling me he didn't think he was going to live long. I never wanted to hear this. He had gotten more and more depressed especially after the shots of interferon. He was found dead three days after he had died at home. The cornor said it was a heart attack he was 49. I found a Drs receipt with a DX code that when I looked it up there was a connection with that code and former vets with Hep C. Later I found all the information on line so I guess that is why the Drs said it was from the Air Force. I loved my brother and I would rather die than to lose him. I hope I can get through this. His name was Randy Suttles

irishdrought1955@yahoo.com

Served in Army in Germany in 1973 and came back with Hep C where I saw a civilian doctor who diagnosed it as non A non B during leave after I came back (his records were later destroyed after he closed his office). I received several air gun immunizations prior to leaving for Germany and had oral surgery for wisdom teeth while over there. Had a relapse in the summer of 1974 while still in service and was hospitalized. Tests at hospital showed negative for Australian Antigen (ruled out Hep B). There is no evidence of any test for Hep A although they called it Hep A on my military records. 30 years later I discover I've had Hep C for all this time and my liver almost completely destroyed(currently fighting cancer of liver). Tests show I've never been exposed to Hep A even though Harrison's shows that Hep A antibodies are detectable indefinitely. They still deny my claims for service connection. Have tried Congressman and mine is worthless. He just says VA claims in the Houston office are 'an ongoing problem' (no help). I'm awaiting a hearing on an appeal but, I can't even get it off any desk to have them decide on when that might happen. Is this a Bush administration policy to deny claims for Viet Nam era vets? Houston seems to be the fortress of denial according to the service advocates.

My Husband recently diagnosed with liver cancer. VA noted hep C for years and never recommended treatment until just recently, now too late. He's made claims for hep c. and keeps getting denied. Start of Hep c suspected from Army time at induction? or Vietnam. Any one else diagnosed with cancer from the hep c and able to support a claim? HOW? Does the benefit of doubt side with the vet on this? Any help is appreciated.

janet17ervin2003@yahoo.com

im mr asharf from egypt my prother is very tired we need viset the hospital and get new helth

mansour_center@yahoo.com

An Air Gun Case does exist! Dear HCVETS, I found one case on the VA website VA.GOV via Board of Veterans Appeals Decion Search. I searched for decisions related to Hepatitis C infection via airguns. You can search it by typing "Citation Nr: 0531165" (omit the quotation marks) in the search field. This case is worthy of publishing on your website. I will attach it as a .PDF file, but the link is: http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files5/0531165.txt Wow! Frank Lijoi

trikdacy@optonline.net

I`m sorry but my e-mail address is wrong. I said it was Allenmichael1955 but it in fact is Allenmickey1955@cs.com SO SORRY! Mickey Allen

Allenmickey1955

I have been getting the run around since 1998 and still have got any answers to my questions. I am sick and I only get$529.00 a mo from SSDI and because i`m married on paper I can not even get food stamps. I am holding on by the skin on my teeth. I need help but all they want to do is give me morphine for my joint pain and run test that have nothing to do with HEP B or C I need help and I am dieing from lack of diet and the lack of Jefferson Barrachs hospitials lack of knoladge of this silent killer. I am at wits end and do not know what to do. I ask the VA in madison county for a food order and they act like it is thier money and treat you as if you were a dog asking for a bone. I get some food from pantrys but the food is outdated and mostly bread and trash. I know they have food that is worth eating but they only give it to people with kids which is ok but what about the men and women that put thier lives on the line in Nam? I just do not know how long it will be before I go to the county court with a sign that says "feed me or I will die right here" I am so sick and am not even getting a dollars worth of compassion. If any Vets know how to help me speed this prosess up please call me collect if you need to @ 618-451-6016 my name is Michael and I served from 1972 to 1975 w/2nd327th air borne air assault in ft Campbell ky. Please help me help myself before I take my own life rather than die slow and painfull! GOD BLESS MY FELLOW BROTHERS!! Support out troops in Iraq!!!!

Allenmichael1955@cs.com

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has gotten a blood disease/disorder from recieving their shots in bootcamp????? I was in the Coast Guard in 1987 and I was given my shots with an air gun. I have now got AIDS because of them.. I am still fighting V.A. about my disability claim!! If you or someone you know has gotten seriously ill from their shots, PLEASE let me know.. Thanks

purplepeopleeater22@lycos.com

yes, I have been diagnosed with hep c, I can only say that I beleive I contracted it in Europe back in the late 70,s. I have ear peirceings no tattoes, no I V drug use. treated for alcohol and drug abuse. I have filed claim after claim and can not get service connected. have requested for board meeting, what should I do?I also had multiple sex partners, all the va says is that it is speculative. help

wwestbrooks@austin.rr.com

I believe I contacted HepC upon induction into the Army in 1969. I am a Viet Nam Vet found to have Hep C in 1996. The Doctors believe I have had this Virus for over 30 years. I have a number of side effects and will someday probably need a liver transpant. I am unable to work and current receive SSI payments from Social Security. Do you know of anyone receiving compensation from the VA who claimed they got Hep C from innoculation upon induction into the military? I was also connected directly to a soldier who was dying and needed blood in an emergence proceedure to try and save his life. And once cover in blood from a wounded soldier I took to a Mash unit.

dderegnier@aol.com

Husband believes he got HepC while serving in the C.B.s 64-66 digging&burying of mass graves. Found out he was+ in 01 when hospitalized w/ chronic fatiuge fever & severe joint pain. No clue that they may be related. Now he can't work hard to walk diabetic-thanks Agent orange! Can't depend on gov't 2 B straight with ya. Ashamed that USA treats war-time vets so shabby! THANX VETS! Found I was + 2 yrs ago.when asked 4 treatment 4 me 2 Va told him 2 use a condom.guess i'm SOL. Thanx usa. Records also ashes only proof he was in- country is med record simply Da nang. Any help?

Brownidgirl@mailmaniacs.com

I am battling with the VA, again, because I contracted HCV while on active duty in the Army. I took 196 units of blood in multiple transfusions in 1971. I was innoculated with air guns. I worked as a corpsman and routinely had contact with other peoples blood. I do not have a history of intravenous drug use and\or the sharing of needles.

these are additional comments.in basic training i was called to my co-s office weekly and questioned about pot use.even at a young age i could sense that the were looking for admitted drug users.the co claimed that he was trying to rid air defense of potheads, but i never believed him because a solid 65% of air defense were potheads,only not admitted ones. i went to ft wood mo and 30% of my class were given special shots those were overseas shots,but they may have more.

searcymasonry@yahoo.com

i believe that i contracted the virus from a military vaccination gone awry i did however use intravenious drugs a very few times however the ratio of veterans who used needles was only appr. 1 soldier in 150

searcymasonry@yahoo.com