Hepatitis C decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for hepatitis C with cirrhosis, status post-liver transplant. However, the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran received a blood transfusion during service or contracted hepatitis C from in-service inoculations. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is due, at least in part, to intravenous drug use and secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an eye injury, depression, and hepatitis C. The claim for a compensable rating for chronic epididymitis was also denied.

The veteran's claims for hepatitis C, PTSD, and right foot disorder were denied. The denial of the hepatitis C claim is due to lack of medical evidence of current condition. The denial of the PTSD claim is due to lack of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-IV criteria. The denial of the right foot disorder claim is due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left eye disorder and granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for dysthymia and major depressive disorder. The other claims remain denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have hepatitis C and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that he contracted hepatitis C during service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's hepatitis C is of service origin and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of current hepatitis C, as it may be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has found the evidence currently of record sufficient to establish the veteran's entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA and private treatment records from various locations. The RO will also provide the veteran with a supplemental statement of the case on the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right pelvic ramus fracture, entitlement to service connection for shingles, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection claims for lower back disability, residuals of a coccyx injury, and a psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical review regarding whether the veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, HIV, and a nervous disorder as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hepatitis C and residual scars from a rib biopsy, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as he is able to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.