Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B and C are due to his inservice drug abuse, which constitutes willful misconduct. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent since January 14, 2009 due to 10 incapacitating episodes of fatigue and malaise over the past year.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C, back disability, left hip disability, and TDIU claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis or competent medical nexus linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's risk factors for hepatitis C and to confirm his diagnosis of hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence showing a current diagnosis of dysthymia with PTSD traits.,The claims for service connection for hypertension and hepatitis C were not reopened as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to her military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death must be remanded due to incomplete notification and missing medical records. The VA will need to provide proper VCAA notice, obtain terminal hospital reports, and seek a medical opinion regarding whether any fatal cardiovascular or pulmonary disorder had its onset during the Veteran's period of military service.

The VA determined that there is no competent and credible evidence attributing the Veteran's hepatitis C to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis C, finding that there was no in-service exposure to the virus and no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hepatitis C and liver disorder, other than hepatitis C, and his military service. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.