In spite of difficulties, 585 of 1372 (43%) HCV RNA positive patients received antiviral therapy between 1998 and
2010 at our local VA hospital; 226
of 583 treated (39%) achieved SVR [2]. 36%
of deaths were from HCC or liver failure. Veterans with sustained viral response had substantially improved survival. Effective antiviral therapy improves prognosis [3], [4].