Hepatitis C decisions — 2007

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The claim for pes planus was previously denied in November 1973 without new and material evidence being submitted.

The Board found no current diagnosis of hepatitis C and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service event or condition that may be associated with the disease. The claims for increased rating for a right fifth finger disability, service connection for tinnitus, and entitlement to pension were not addressed due to lack of specific findings on examination.

The veteran's combined rating is 50%, which does not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating on an extraschedular basis due to his age, education, and occupational background. The Board finds that he is not unemployable by reason of his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and depression secondary to hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to herbicides in service. The claim for hepatitis C remains pending as the evidence does not establish a clear connection with service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations.

The veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 50% prior to February 23, 1999. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding hepatitis C and the current rating of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C, was not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The Board also found that the veteran's PTSD did not contribute to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C. The veteran was previously granted a 10 percent rating for his hepatitis C, effective December 19, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and hepatitis C as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's right ankle condition, Saturday Night Palsy, Hepatitis C, and Sleep Condition due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a compensable rating for hepatitis C, and entitlement to an increased rating for cirrhosis of the liver are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for an incapacitating episode or intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and thyroid disorder are not related to his military service, including any possible exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his time in service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's hepatitis C was found to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.