Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C and its related symptoms. The evidence submitted since the April 2002 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum threshold requirements for an award of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, VA policy allows for a TDIU to be granted in all cases where a service-connected disability causes unemployability regardless of the percentage evaluations. The case is therefore remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, hypothyroidism, hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (major depression with polysubstance abuse, in remission), and residuals of low back trauma. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis C is related to his in-service treatment, including a blood transfusion during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence does not show that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran does not currently have hepatitis C or its residuals, and the Board finds that his symptoms are related to post-service conditions rather than service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing at the Waco RO. The claims for service connection for aneurysm of the large artery and hepatitis C, as well as reopening claims for paranoid schizophrenia and tuberculosis, are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for postoperative duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and a skin disorder including Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT). The evidence did not support the claim based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence, and a VA examination is needed to determine the cause of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from [redacted], [redacted], and Medicine Tree.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further readjudication due to a need for additional development, including a VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C, or Malaria. The infections were acute and resolved without residuals during service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected hepatitis C renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was due to his intentional use of intravenous drugs, including heroin, during active service and thus not incurred in line of duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or a verified in-service stressor.