Hepatitis C decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that a psychiatric disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied the claim. For Hepatitis C, the Board noted that further examination is needed as the claims folder did not accompany the veteran during the examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that cardiovascular disease did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation and was not related to any in-service disease or injury.

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C before a decision was made. The issue of PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an ongoing hepatitis C infection and his HIV-related illness is not related to service. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, but the claim is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and a need for an opinion on the etiology of his condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation since March 4, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sinusitis.

The VA determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post-operative residuals of a ruptured left L5-S1, and thus grants service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied compensation benefits for erectile dysfunction and hepatitis C, both claimed as a result of VA medical or surgical treatment.,There is no clear evidence that the veteran's current conditions are due to VA care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied both his claim for service connection for cause of death and his DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were not incurred or aggravated in service, including due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim is denied.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and hepatitis C infection. The appellant's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, hepatitis C infection at 10 percent, and there are no current issues regarding service connection or evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for hepatitis C due to exposure to herbicide, but finds that service connection is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link between service and the condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C, including whether it was caused by his military service or post-service activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to the veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, Hepatitis C, low back disability, and respiratory disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis C, and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support reopening the claim for PTSD or establishing service connection for hepatitis C or diabetes mellitus.