Hepatitis C decisions — 2011

The Board found that the May 13, 1976 motor vehicle accident was not due to the Veteran's willful misconduct. The claims for service connection were adjudicated and a mixed disposition was reached.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination. The issue of whether he can secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation related to his service-connected hepatitis C will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct further review of the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and head injury residuals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C, including whether there are verified stressors related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to have originated during service, and the claim for memory loss is granted. The claims for ionizing radiation exposure are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for cervical spine strain are being remanded due to incomplete development of his records, including personnel records from the Army National Guard. The VA will also obtain recent treatment records and complete any further development as directed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 29, 2004, and increased to 20 percent effective September 19, 2005. The Board has now assigned a 30 percent rating for the period prior to March 29, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as he was not restricted to activities due to his condition.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for hepatitis C and chronic liver disease due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is supported by credible evidence and consistent with his service, granted.,There is no clear and convincing evidence to support the claim of Hepatitis C being related to active service.

The appellant is unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, and therefore, TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and it is now granted. The Board found that the Veteran likely acquired his hepatitis C infection through air gun inoculations during service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for Hepatitis C with resultant liver damage and bilateral hearing loss, and granted them. The claim for tinnitus is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cervical spine disorder, and dorsal spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's current hepatitis C is related to service or post-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating of 40 percent for hepatitis C was maintained, but the claim for a higher rating was denied.