Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service and character of discharge, obtaining public records related to the appellant's criminal activities, and a medical opinion regarding the likely etiology of his hepatitis C.

The veteran's claims for Hepatitis A, B, and C were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for service connection for chemical dependence and alcohol addiction was also denied due to the veteran's own willful misconduct. The claim for a higher initial evaluation for residuals of hemorrhoidectomy was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C, which caused or contributed to his death, were related to liver and other gastrointestinal abnormalities during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's right hip disorder or hepatitis C to his military service, and thus denied both claims. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cysts, arthritis of the cervical spine, polyarthritis of hands, knees, elbows, and feet (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and hepatitis C have been denied. The veteran is also not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records and unclear notification of evidence needed for all claims.

The VA Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's Hepatitis C and his military service.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C and a skin disorder, claimed as dyshidrotic eczema. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and his GSW residuals are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking current hepatitis C to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred hepatitis C as a result of an in-service tattoo, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of PTSD was also addressed, but as it pertained to a different RO (Cleveland, Ohio), it was remanded.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as there is no evidence of anorexia or hepatomegaly.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board has ordered further evaluations and development of the evidence to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and it cannot be presumed as such. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to any specific event during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C may be attributable to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an addendum to the July 2004 VA examination report.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis A and hepatitis C, finding no confirmed diagnoses of these conditions in his medical records.