Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1988 rating determination that did not address service connection for Hepatitis C, as there was no evidence of hepatitis at the time.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with no new and material evidence received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and cervical spine disorder are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted but that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the cause of the veteran's death and accrued benefits claim.

The Board has determined that there are questions regarding the veteran's character of discharge and requires additional development to address these issues before a final decision can be made on his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the veteran did not have any risk factors for contracting hepatitis C during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a personal hearing and providing an SOC with respect to the issues of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, service connection for hepatitis B and C for accrued benefits purposes, and VA death pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases, as well as concerns about relevant evidence and extra-schedular rating considerations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at the Waco, Texas Regional Office.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, and Agent Orange exposure. The claim of service connection for TDIU was deferred pending completion of development.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for viral hepatitis is being remanded due to the need for another examination and consideration of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C or a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis and/or asthma. The examiner concluded that the most likely exposure was from blood, but it is difficult to attribute her hepatitis C to exposure during her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper notice under the VCAA. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A was denied as the VA medical evidence does not show current chronic hepatitis A. The claims for hepatitis B and C are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, renal disease as secondary to hepatitis C, and a psychiatric disability to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).