Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hepatitis C began in service or is otherwise related to a disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 60 percent disabling, which approximates the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also has cirrhosis of the liver, but this does not warrant an additional separate rating as it is considered part of his hepatitis C.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C is rated at 60 percent for all periods on appeal, granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol abuse caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially to the fatal end stage liver disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hepatitis C, as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service. The Board found that the in-service findings were more consistent with mild alcoholic hepatitis than hepatitis C.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's death was attributed to multiple organ failure due to coronary artery disease, with contributory factors including cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hepatitis C and lichen planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and viral hepatitis, including whether these conditions are related to his in-service episode of viral hepatitis or any tattoos obtained during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C or epilepsy due to service and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a wart condition as secondary to hepatitis C, a kidney condition as secondary to hepatitis C, and a prostate condition as secondary to hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board dismissed the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the issue of service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current hepatitis C disability is found to be due to his intravenous drug use during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, and a hepatitis C examination will also be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that the initial post-service medical evidence of hepatitis C is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C treatment at The Toledo Hospital on January 14, 2008 were denied as the treatment was not rendered in response to a medical emergency.