Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to July 2, 2001 and at a 40 percent rating since then. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that Hepatitis C with cirrhosis is not causally related to the Veteran's active duty service and therefore denied the claim of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's exposure to blood products during his period of active service was as likely as not the cause of his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizophrenia. The evidence shows that the Veteran had a diagnosis of early paranoid schizophrenia during service and continues to have chronic schizophrenia today. Service connection is granted for this condition. For hepatitis C, there is no medical evidence linking it to active service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is service-connected, but there is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. R. Di'L, who treated the Veteran prior to 1989 and diagnosed hepatitis C in 1989.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C as there is no medical evidence or opinion suggesting a link between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not diagnosed until many years after service, and there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to hepatitis C, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hepatitis C to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional clarification regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for Hepatitis C, including consideration of in-service risk factors such as IV drug use and a pneumatic vaccination.

The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, recurrent herpetic genitalia infections, and hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for a headache disorder. For recurrent herpetic genitalia infections, the medical evidence showed no objective manifestations despite subjective symptoms. For hepatitis C, there was no evidence showing treatment with systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective July 2, 2001. The dental condition claim is not supported by any competent evidence of record.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was increased to a 60 percent rating effective May 16, 2008. His gastritis and appendectomy scar were not granted an increase in ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and left ankle condition were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain myositis but not higher. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscal repair and anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with residual pain was denied. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right shoulder disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for status post repair of rotator cuff and labral tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder but not higher. His claim for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.