Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to exposure to blood in combat or air gun inoculation, and whether there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C infection was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 7, 2008, and later increased to 40 percent effective from July 2008. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for the period before July 2009, but granted a 60 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is more likely related to his illicit drug use in Vietnam.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis, to include hepatitis B and C. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary in the case.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for hepatitis C was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the requested increased ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, a lung disability, and a lower back disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD, hepatitis C, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's adult-onset diabetes is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service near the DMZ in Korea, and thus presumptive service connection for adult-onset diabetes is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The claim for hepatitis C was based on the absence of any in-service diagnosis or risk factors, while the claim for the skin disorder was not supported by medical nexus evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scar of right knee cyst and denied service connection for cyst behind the right ear. Service connection is also granted for hepatitis C, but not for low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, left varicocele, epididymitis, and ganglion cyst of the left leg. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of current hearing loss disability under VA standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected hepatitis C, finding that there were no objective medical findings to support such a rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The claim is being returned for further examination and clarification.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's Hepatitis C and to evaluate his claims for neck and back injuries. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred as a consequence of service, specifically from contact with the blood of others during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the appellant's service with the Army Reserve and obtaining his service treatment records. The appellant is also to be scheduled for examinations to determine the etiology of his hepatitis C, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it resulted from his own drug use during active military service.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain medical records from private facilities where the veteran received treatment for depression and hepatitis C. The case will be remanded for further action.