Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing his risk factors.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pes planus is also being remanded.

The Veteran is seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Hepatitis C. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the frequency and nature of incapacitating episodes, as well as the cause of hepatomegaly.

The Veteran's widow is seeking retroactive DEA benefits back to May 16, 2000. The RO denied her claim based on the fact that an April 2007 rating decision established a permanent and total disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C effective May 16, 2000. However, DEA eligibility was initially established effective June 17, 2003 based on the assignment of a permanent and total 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C. The Board finds it necessary to remand the appellant's claim for readjudication of this issue.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, liver disease, and liver cancer. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and clarify the Veteran's exposure history.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The extension of temporary total disability ratings beyond August 31, 2005, and November 30, 2005, for right knee surgery and left knee surgery respectively is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was reduced to a noncompensable rating from March 1, 2008. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating from March 1, 2008 to July 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to PTSD, tinnitus, and chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, while there is no evidence of active hepatitis B during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's underlying cause of death, hepatitis C, was not incurred during or related to military service and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred in service, while his kidney disability is not considered service-connected due to being related to a non-service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C. The Board has ordered a VA examination and requested additional evidence to determine the nature and likely etiology of the condition, including whether it was incurred during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and denied service connection for hepatitis B.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disease, specifically hepatitis C, and a dental disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that hepatitis C is etiologically related to active service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hepatitis C, which is related to his IV drug use in service. The Board found that the Veteran's IV drug use was not willful misconduct and thus service connection can be established.

The Veteran claims service connection for hepatitis C, which he contends is related to his military service. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the absence of certain medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B in service and denied these claims. The claim for Chronic Renal Failure was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not caused by his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors. However, it granted service connection for hepatitis C based on reopening of the claim with new and material evidence.