Hepatitis C decisions — 2011

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during active military service. The Board found the evidence against a finding that he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, thrombophlebitis of the left leg and varicose veins of the right leg are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically whether his alcohol and drug dependence are related to his PTSD.

The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran to address her claims of service connection for various conditions. The appeal is currently in remand status due to scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service. The claims for hepatitis C, low back disability, and bilateral leg disability will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases in its November 2007 decision, including failure to consider lay testimony regarding possible exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his liver disease, including hepatitis C, did not have onset during active service and is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is service-connected, based on in-service exposure to hepatitis and a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service and granted her claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether his injuries were due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was not found to warrant an increased rating before January 20, 2010.,Since January 20, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The appellant's hepatitis C condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C to service, and denied all claims based on this finding.

The Board has determined that hepatitis C was incurred during service, and not due to willful misconduct. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cause of death, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for cause of death, and entitlement to service connection for hepatitis for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hepatitis C since January 2011, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia than they do an asymptomatic condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor. The claims for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis of the Liver are pending as there is a possibility that they may be service-connected.