Hepatitis C decisions — 2005

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C in service or any link to service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine disc disease, hepatitis C, and a left shoulder disorder. The claim for service connection for gastric ulcer was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C or cirrhosis of the liver to the veteran's service, including any exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and determined that it was incurred in service, granting the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded due to a need for further medical examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, citing lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during or as a result of his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia condition contributed to his death from hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HCV, which was acquired through illicit drug use. The Board finds in favor of the appellant and grants service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred between February 14, 2002 and December 16, 2002 is denied. The treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Houston RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend a scheduled in-person hearing. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and low back disability remain before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a low back disability, finding that direct service connection was not warranted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, including dental treatment or sunburn. The claim was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an appendectomy and hepatitis C, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's current hepatitis C was not present in service and is not etiologically related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C. The veteran's hepatitis C is being evaluated based on his in-service exposure, if any.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and review of his claims file.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his in-service hepatitis and current Hepatitis C, as well as any potential secondary relationship to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The VA has granted service connection for hepatitis C and awarded a 10 percent rating, but the veteran is seeking an increased rating. The Board finds that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the veteran's condition.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's condition is mostly asymptomatic with no significant liver damage or complications.

The appellant has withdrawn the appeal regarding service connection for Hepatitis C, and thus the case is dismissed.