Hepatitis C decisions — 2007

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for hypertension, a skin disorder, and Hepatitis C. The Board also found that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent medical evidence linking his condition to his military service.

The veteran's GERD with duodenitis and hepatitis C is rated at 60 percent, effective March 30, 2001. The veteran's bronchitis secondary to asbestos exposure is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a left eye disorder has been granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C and other disabilities.,The veteran seeks service connection for disability due to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks secondary service connection for hypertension and cardiomyopathy related to his PTSD.,The veteran requests an increased evaluation for his right thoracotomy residuals, and a higher rating for his PTSD.,He is seeking an effective date earlier than November 8, 2002 for the addition of his spouse as a dependent. He also seeks review of the April 1971 decision denying service connection for tuberculosis.,,,,

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his hepatitis C, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to June 9, 2000, and found only minimal liver damage with associated fatigue and depression beginning on June 10, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's HCV was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding no evidence of a current disability and noting that there was no in-service exposure to risk factors.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The residuals of a cold weather injury with peripheral neuropathy were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C claims. The veteran will need a VA examination for both conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his hepatitis C disability.