The Virus was transmitted for years through blood drives and blood transfusions, especially during the Korean War, and is presently being studied by Dr. R. Miller of the National Academy of Science (NAS).  His research is concentrating on Veterans of the Korean War Conflict. (2)

Veterans of the Vietnam War are by far the largest population of veterans infected with HCV.  This is due primarily due to the fact that they are now 25 years past the initial acute phase of their original  hepatitis infection, and some have been in a 'chronic condition' for decades.  They have shown up at the VA, a 285% increase over the last 4 years, because they are very ill and no one can explain why.  Not their Doctors and not their communities. (3)

The large numbers of Vietnam Veterans also reflects the improved medical delivery capabilities of providing medical attention, including blood transfusions, as "far forward" in the battlefield as possible.  These refined medical capabilities were begun during the Korean War, to include to use of experimental Helicopters to transport the wounded- these capabilities were further refined during the Vietnam War.  This included the improved capability of delivering much needed blood (and blood products) to wounded soldiers as quickly as possible.

The use of mass inoculations can not be overlooked within this past half century.  First the Militaries of the world used glass syringe needles, then stainless steel was used, and re-used, and finally the Pet-O-Jet Pneumatic Air Gun was the choice of professionals for mass vaccination programs- to include the US Armed Forces, under Department of Defense (DoD) oversight.

All three methods of vaccination delivery have subsequently been shown to have 'at least' a possibility of transmitting "Blood Borne Pathogens" to the recipient.  DoD says the US Military no longer uses the Pneumatic Air Guns, as of 12/9/97, the basic training recruits today are saying otherwise. (4)

We are told by the National Institute of Health (NIH), and Center's for Disease Control (CDC), that there is a reliable blood test, Enzyme-linked Immuno Assay (EIA), in place to protect the blood supply from further mass contamination(s), and that current screening procedures are sufficiently adequate to determine what veterans are "at risk".  Also, those family members of veterans that may "become at risk".  We are assured that the barn door is now safely closed, the only problem is the HCV horse is already well out of the county by now.

HCV has not moved to the national stage because some veterans are ill.  What has been happening for years is that an increasing number of veterans have been showing up at the VA positive for the Hepatitis C Virus.  The VA has been, not only denying any service connection, but has been sending these veterans home to die a lonely death, while putting their families at extreme risk.  The VA does this by first, acting irresponsibly towards testing and treatment, and secondly, by not properly educating the veteran and their families about "at risk behaviors"
that could possibly transmit the virus, i.e., use of veteran's shaving razor by other family members, etc...

The veterans that have been seen at the VA, for HCV, have been treated in the past for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and told to go away.  Very few veterans have received any form of treatment.  Many have been told there simply is none available.  Others have been told it is due to Protocol III funding- whatever that is.

Homeless veterans are the population that is expected to be in the highest of the "percent infected groups" of veterans overall, (due mainly to epidemiological factors).  Yet, no effort has been made by the VA to find and even test these persons that live in environments that, not only breed infection and pestilence, but may remain an HCV reservoir for both, our urban cities, and suburban communities for decades to come.

The VA presently is testing the HCV veterans but not providing a service-connection for the virus.  Each veteran is made to prove the virus was given to them.  Each is to accumulate a mountain of evidence.  Every veteran is to fight the VA for years and watch as $20,000 is spent each month in order to prevent them from getting $2,000 a month.

Without treatment or assistance from the VA the veteran soon leaves and does not come back for additional medical treatment.  Meanwhile the VA gets almost $5,000 a head (to care for that vet) under the new VISN system.  Even if assisted, then, many veterans are told that the definitive test, a liver needle biopsy, can not be accomplished- so, once again, no service connection can be established.  Without the proof to show 20 years of liver damage, the VA knows that a veteran can not prove when they did, or did not get this virus.  If we send them
to civilian Doctors then all the doctors will do the procedure the VA says it can not.  The veteran only knows that their life and that of their families are changed forever.  Both, Medical and emotional costs are the greatest factors an HCV veteran deals with and faces every day.

The issue is not the past.  The issue is the present, and the future.  What will be done to find all the potential carriers that the VA is responsible by law to help?  How will it be coordinated and accomplished within the very diverse 170 VA facilities around the nation?

Many more Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) veterans are on their way to the VA, and they will be even sicker than the ones we see today.  VA Neglect has a detrimental effect for many proud veterans and their families, especially when compounded by decades of improper, or inadequate, Health Care provided to them.   It is estimated that there are at least one million veterans with HCV today, and maybe as many as two million overall.  Other Militaries have similar situations.  The English, Australian, Canadian, and Egyptian Militaries come instantly to mind.
 

Kevin Donnelly

(1)  N Engl J Med 1987 Apr 16;316(16):965   PMID: 2436048, UI: 87172914

(2) 1997, NAS, Institute of Medicine, Medical Follow-up Agency, Mortality of Korean War Veterans Infected with
Hepatitis C Virus, Dr. R. Miller.

(3) Mil Med 1997 Nov;162(11):711-714, A Four Year review of Patients..., Roselle, Danko, Mendenhall

(4) Ltr, Asst. Secretary of Defense, dtd July 9, 1998, singed: Dr. Sue Baily