Hepatitis C decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, but concluded that the veteran's contentions regarding in-service exposure were not credible.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than November 8, 2004 for a 40 percent evaluation of Hepatitis C disability. The evidence did not show any increase in disability prior to this date.

The VA has denied a higher initial rating for hepatitis C, finding that the veteran's symptoms have not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective December 10, 2001. The evidence shows intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia without weight loss or hepatomegaly.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for viral hepatitis and service connection for depressive disorder, to include as secondary to viral hepatitis are being remanded due to the need to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, a back disorder, chronic liver disease, depression, tension and anxiety, chronic headaches, and nervous system damage. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Hepatitis C and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing his acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service, and because hepatitis C is not a disease that can be presumed based on its latency period. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as it resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct.

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

The veteran's hepatitis C was granted service connection, and a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD since July 1, 2005 is also granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and symptomatic hidradenitis suppurativa due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's hepatitis C with liver fibrosis, degenerative disc disease of L4-S1 with spinal stenosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been granted service connection. However, his claims for higher evaluations are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory/lung disease (claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure) were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for hepatitis C, effective July 2000. The veteran's condition is currently characterized by moderate liver damage including stage three fibrosis and cirrhosis requiring prescribed medications, secondary depression requiring prescribed medication; objective observations of fluctuating weight (including weight loss), abdominal pain and inflammation of the liver; and fatigue.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his duodenal ulcer was denied.,The claims to reopen service connection for hepatitis C, syphilis, and gonorrhea were not supported by new and material evidence, resulting in denial of those claims.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder was not established.