Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The cause of the veteran's death, liver failure and hepatitis C, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, bilateral leg disability, diabetes, and liver problems secondary to hepatitis C have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and scrotal eczema (claimed as rashes on testicles), to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C do not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C, finding the veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under either the old (Code 7345) or new (Code 7354) criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD based on in-service stressors and his Hepatitis C is not related to service. The claims for both conditions are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found that the cause of death (escherichia coli septic shock) was not service-connected, and thus denied burial benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's liver disease, including hepatitis C, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C due to lack of evidence associating his current condition with military service. The case is now remanded for further consideration, including a review of post-service risk factors and potential need for an examination.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C and awarded retroactive disability compensation at a monthly rate of $2,408 effective December 1, 2002. The veteran's PTSD with TDIU was also granted.

The veteran's claim of service connection for chronic hepatitis C has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to military service.,The veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic lung disorder and PTSD have also been reopened. The new evidence supports the veteran's contention that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred during his military service and more likely a result of post-service drug use.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C and a skin disorder due to exposure to herbicides were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from August 10, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hepatitis C, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected hepatitis C virus infection, which led to hepatocellular carcinoma. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C and residuals of Epstein-Barr virus did not originate in service, and denied both claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C does not render him unemployable on its own, and thus denies his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a growth on the left side of the neck. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and increased ratings for hypertension, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of motion were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a current diagnosis of hepatitis C or any link between the veteran's current liver abnormality and his military service.