Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve degeneration and hepatitis C, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty. The appeals for PTSD and right shoulder disability are addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, and a chronic prostate disorder. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss, Hepatitis C, and sleep apnea.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD or tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected hepatitis C, as there was no evidence showing that his condition warranted such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's hepatitis C disability and considering staged ratings. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 40 percent since July 2, 2001. The Board found that the condition met the criteria for a 40 percent rating during this period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is causally related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by chronic daily fatigue and minor weight loss from November 9, 2000 to January 22, 2003. On and after January 22, 2003, the condition was characterized by chronic daily fatigue, occasional nausea, loss of appetite, and occasional right upper quadrant pain or tenderness on palpation. The decision denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis C from November 9, 2000 to January 22, 2003, and a rating in excess of 60 percent on and after January 22, 2003.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims for hepatitis C and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased disability rating for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis C. The appeal is dismissed.

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

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hepatitis C and PTSD due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and verification of in-service stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to these conditions. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's exposure to blood and needle sticks during his military service is at least as likely as not the cause of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a respiratory disorder, a skin disorder, muscle pain, and joint aches. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied depression claim was also denied.

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

The VA 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 it is at least as likely as not (50% probability) that the veteran's current hepatitis C was contracted during service. The case will be remanded to obtain VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C and also needs to have a document received by facsimile on August 10, 2002, evaluated as a valid notice of disagreement. The case is being remanded for further development.