Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to blood from wounded soldiers during his active duty service in Vietnam and has a current diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board also finds that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current hepatitis C is etiologically related to this exposure, but resolves this doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a mood disorder with depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely contracted hepatitis C during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and hepatitis C were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

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

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the Veteran does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and thus the claim to reopen is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability manifested by memory loss and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a causal link to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, hepatitis C, and low back disability. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected as it was likely caused by his own illegal drug use during service, and thus cannot be considered a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and a need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD related to in-service stressors and denied service connection for both PTSD and hepatitis C.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C, which was diagnosed in service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, and a fracture of the dominant hand, do not render him unemployable. The VA examiner found that his other non-service connected disabilities, such as chronic lumbar pain, history of polysubstance abuse, hypertension, and stroke, are more significant factors in his inability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to any incident of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hepatitis C during service and there is no evidence of its onset or aggravation in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from liver cancer and acute renal failure.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was denied as he does not have the disease. Service connection for PTSD prior to June 17, 2004 is granted at a 50% rating, but no higher. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to that date was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct link to his military service. The claim for service connection for alcohol dependence was denied due to it being considered willful misconduct.