Hepatitis C decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for Hepatitis C was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition. The VA found that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, but granted a 10% disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C was increased to a 40 percent rating effective May 21, 2007. The condition is currently manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain with minor weight loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and concluding that the veteran's symptoms were not related to her military service.

The Board finds in favor of the veteran for service connection regarding his current hypopigmented skin patches and associated scars. The Board also acknowledges that hepatitis C is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to active service. Service connection for hepatitis B is granted based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C is as likely as not related to military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Hepatitis C is denied as there was no communication from her prior to March 28, 2003 that constituted a formal or informal claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if hepatitis C exists and its relationship to military service.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis, including whether these conditions had their onset in service or are related to his service-connected disability.

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not have a total and permanent service-connected disability at the time of his death. Therefore, DIC benefits are denied, as is eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD. The claims for COPD, Hepatitis C, and PTSD were denied as the conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding no competent medical evidence relating it to active service.,The veteran's claims for SMC benefits were granted effective April 5, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and hepatitis C. The VA examiner found that current cervical sprain/strain and lumbosacral strain are not related to military service. There is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from active duty for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its rationale and a need for further medical examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for more comprehensive records, including in-service hospitalization records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active duty service, specifically due to combat exposure in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to February 2, 2005. However, it granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD beginning from February 2, 2005.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after these are obtained.