Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is more likely caused by his history of IV drug use. As a result, the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during or as a result of his active service, and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of evidence showing permanent hearing loss at separation from service. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence related to active duty service or any other risk factors. The Board also found that the Veteran's foot disorder is not shown to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The claim for PTSD is currently pending.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease resulted in an MI in December 2003, but has not led to additional complications. The depressive disorder is service-connected due to its relationship to his service-connected conditions. New evidence has reopened the claim for hepatitis C, which was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C had its onset during his service as a combat medic in Vietnam. By extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, the Board grants service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and depression, are found to be rated as follows: Hepatitis C (30%), Depression associated with hepatitis C (50%), and tinnitus (10%). The combined rating is 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

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

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

The Veteran's hepatitis C infection has been manifested by subjective complaints of fatigue and anorexia, but does not require dietary restriction or continuous medication, resulting in no incapacitating episodes. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, were all denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30%.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was determined to have resulted from his own drug use during service, and as such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service event or in-service incurrence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection for hepatitis C, recurrent urethritis, and herpes progenitalis. The Board found that clear and unmistakable error has not been shown and denied the request.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. His bilateral hearing loss has been granted an initial non-compensable rating, but the claim for a higher initial rating is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the left knee disability.