Proving Service Connection For Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a contagious illness that can result in severe health issues. Some veterans in the United States may have acquired this condition while serving in the military. Still, the Department of Veterans Affairs frequently rejects VA claims for Hep C benefits. Hepatitis C can persist in the body for many years without showing any symptoms, making it challenging to establish a service connection and file for disability benefits.
Here's what veterans who have Hepatitis C should know about proving their service connection!
Can Veterans Get VA Benefits For Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C was initially identified by the medical field in 1989. During their service in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, numerous veterans unknowingly contracted Hepatitis C. However, they weren't diagnosed with the condition until several years later.
The VA acknowledges that numerous veterans were exposed to Hepatitis C and has compiled a list of risk factors:
- Organ transplants before 1992
- Blood transfusions before 1992
- Hemodialysis
- Exposure to blood
- Intravenous drug use
- High sexual activity
- Tattooing
Despite the VA acknowledging these exposures, veterans' VA claims for service connection regarding Hepatitis C are often denied because there is no clear link between their service and the recent illness.
Service Connection For Your Hepatitis C
Winning a Hepatitis C case is challenging but not impossible. Having an expert medical opinion is almost always necessary for veterans to increase their chances of approval from the VA. This medical evidence plays a crucial role in substantiating your claim for VA disability benefits.
To be most impactful, the medical expert should thoroughly examine all of the veteran's records, especially those that reveal possible exposures to Hepatitis C. These records may include information about organ transplants or blood transfusions before 1992, drug use (intravenous or nasal), contact with infected blood, and instances of tattooing, as these are all risk factors for Hepatitis C.
The expert should take into account all the risk factors and specific circumstances of the veteran's case, considering any applicable epidemiological research on Hepatitis C prevalence, prior to offering an opinion. Complete disclosure of all relevant risk factors by the veteran is crucial to enable the medical expert to provide an impartial and comprehensive assessment.
Medical Nexus For Your Hepatitis C VA Claim
It's important to keep in mind that in order to establish a service connection, you must demonstrate the following:
- During your service, something happened
- That a present disability exists
- A link or nexus is established between the two
VA refers to the nexus as a bridge. When you file a claim shortly after your discharge, the connection between your military service and your present disability is more straightforward and shorter. This scenario applies if you were discharged this year and submitted a claim the following month.
Conversely, suppose you were discharged in the 1970s and are currently making a VA claim for a disability related to an incident that occurred many years ago. In that case, the link is much longer and more challenging to establish.
Veterans dealing with hepatitis C cases frequently encounter this "lengthy bridge" situation. It is particularly accurate for veterans who served in Vietnam nearly two decades before the medical community could even detect this condition.
The disease's ability to remain dormant for extended periods, not manifesting for quite some time, creates a significant hurdle for veterans. The VA may argue that there is no connection since the symptoms did not appear until years after service. However, this reasoning contradicts the prevailing medical knowledge about Hepatitis C. It's crucial not to allow the VA to reject a legitimate Hepatitis C VA claim on these grounds.
