Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic viral infection and hepatitis C, as well as his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions, and thus denied them.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim. The hepatitis C claim was also denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service.

The Board finds that the veteran's Hepatitis C is related to his high-risk sexual activity during military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for defective vision, a liver disease (to include hepatitis C), and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of hyper-pigmented lesions on the legs, and the lumbar spine disability was rated as severe but not pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome without incapacitating episodes. The thoracic spine fracture residuals were rated at 10 percent, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease did not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The veteran is granted an extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond December 31, 2002 for convalescence following surgery on his service-connected right knee disability. The claim to reopen the hepatitis C service connection is also granted.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and hepatitis C. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbosacral strain, residuals of a laceration of the right little finger, residuals of injury to the left foot, and hearing loss in the left ear. The veteran's hepatitis C was severed from his service-connected status.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during the veteran's service and concluded that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The claim for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active duty or VA medical care.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hepatitis C were found to be service-connected, but the initial evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The hepatitis C claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran likely incurred hepatitis C while on active duty, and therefore service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's cause of death, cirrhosis, was not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The appellant's argument for service connection based on exposure to herbicides while in Vietnam is also not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of his claim for a skin condition and the need to provide additional evidence regarding the veracity of his claimed in-service stressors, as well as further examination to determine the etiology of his PTSD, hepatitis C, and dental trauma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service receipt of tattoos. Service connection for PTSD was not addressed due to a lack of evidence.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The issues of night sweats, skin rash, and sleep disorder secondary to hepatitis C are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the veteran's condition was manifested within one year of his separation from active duty. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for hepatitis C, currently rated at 30 percent disabling.