MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- A Nashville veteran who had a colonoscopy there says he feels a heavy burden knowing he could have spread HIV infection to others.

Yet, he said, his conscience is clear because he did all he could to warn the Veterans Administration about his status.

Ron Hereford said his lifestyle 20 years ago contributed to his contraction of HIV. But now he wonders if his HIV made other veterans sick.

"I'm sorry for the person who came behind me," said Hereford. "'Cause I already knew I was HIV-positive."

Hereford had a colonoscopy at the Murfreesboro VA in 2003. Five years later, the VA admitted its equipment wasn't properly assembled or sterilized. That caused bodily fluids to be passed from one patient to the next.

The VA has said 32 veterans have since tested positive for hepatitis B or C or HIV.

"Look how many people that didn't, don't deserve this, that are going to have it. They don't deserve it," said Hereford.

He said veterans should be compensated. He has contacted attorney Mike Sheppard, who has filed claims on behalf of 60 veterans so far.

Sheppard hasn't interviewed Hereford yet but said Hereford could possibly be the source of the HIV infection. Sheppard said he's representing another man who could also be the source.

Hereford said every time he went to the VA, he made sure everyone knew he was HIV-positive. The health care workers wore gloves and appeared to take proper precautions, he said. But the problem, as the VA now believes, was inside the equipment itself.

"I did everything right. I told them. So I can say my conscience is clear," Hereford said.

The VA issued a statement saying it "deeply regrets this incident occurred" and that "veterans will continue to be informed of their legal right to submit disability claims on account of potential VA negligence."