Resolve reasonable doubt under in favor of the Veteran when the Note: evidence favoring risk factor(s) in service is equal to the evidence favoring risk factor(s) before or after service. Risk Factor Transmission Rating Tips Information transfusion of blood or Blood donor If blood transfusion is blood product screening for HCV a claimed risk factor, before 1992 for was not available obtain the relevant HCV, or until 1989 when hospital records from before 1975 for HCV was identified. service, if possible. HBV In 1992, more Look for evidence of organ transplant before effective screening blood transfusions in 1992, or of blood became surgical reports, hemodialysis possible for HCV. especially the anesthesia sheet surgical record operative clinical records, or post-operative clinical notes. tattoos transmitted through Review for indications body piercing, and the use of unsterilized of tattoos or piercings acupuncture with equipment on induction and needles separation exams to help determine whether tattooing or piercing took place in service. intravenous drug use transmitted through Records of drug the use of shared treatment may reflect instruments the type of drug high-risk sexual activity Transmission risk is Periodic health relatively low but assessments or records increases with of treatment for sexually multiple sexual transmitted diseases partners. may document a history of high-risk sexual activity or multiple sexual partners. intranasal cocaine use transmitted through Records of drug the use of shared treatment may reflect instruments the type of drug abuse. accidental exposure to common for the Consider service blood by percutaneous following department or other exposure or on mucous records reflecting membranes health care workers occupational history. combat medics, and corpsmen
Note: Resolve reasonable doubt under in favor of the Veteran when the evidence favoring risk factor(s) in service is equal to the evidence favoring risk factor(s) before or after service. Risk Factor Transmission Information Rating Tips transfusion of blood or blood product before 1992 for HCV, or before 1975 for HBV organ transplant before 1992, or hemodialysis Blood donor screening for HCV was not available until 1989 when HCV was identified. In 1992, more effective screening of blood became possible for HCV. If blood transfusion is a claimed risk factor, obtain the relevant hospital records from service, if possible. Look for evidence of blood transfusions in surgical reports, especially the anesthesia sheet surgical record operative clinical records, or post-operative clinical notes. tattoos body piercing, and acupuncture with needles transmitted through the use of unsterilized equipment Review for indications of tattoos or piercings on induction and separation exams to help determine whether tattooing or piercing took place in service. intravenous drug use transmitted through the use of shared instruments Records of drug treatment may reflect the type of drug high-risk sexual activity Transmission risk is relatively low but increases with multiple sexual partners. Periodic health assessments or records of treatment for sexually transmitted diseases may document a history of high-risk sexual activity or multiple sexual partners. intranasal cocaine use transmitted through the use of shared instruments Records of drug treatment may reflect the type of drug abuse. accidental exposure to blood by percutaneous exposure or on mucous membranes common for the following health care workers combat medics, and corpsmen Consider service department or other records reflecting occupational history.
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