Hepatitis C decisions — 2012

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Hepatitis C, which he claims is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of hepatitis C, liver disorder other than hepatitis C, kidney disorder, and bilateral knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and low back disability are both granted, with the low back disability receiving a 10 percent rating effective April 9, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis B, finding that the Veteran's injury and transfusion in Vietnam most likely caused his hepatitis B. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is attributable to service, specifically his active duty training (ADT) service in the early 1970s. The medical evidence supports a finding that he was exposed to blood products and received vaccinations during this period which likely led to his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service sexual activities, Vacu-jet immunizations, and/or dental procedures and his current condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a noncompensable rating prior to January 5, 2012. From January 5, 2012, he is now rated at 10 percent for his hepatitis C. His bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claims are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected due to its onset being related to his intravenous drug use after service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are not related to his service, as there is no evidence showing a chronic disease within one year post-service. The Veteran currently has these conditions but they were not shown during service.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, but the RO found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to their severity and duration.

The Board has determined that the April 20, 2005 rating decision denying service connection for hepatitis C did not involve clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for HCV and a bilateral ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 3, 2011. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, claiming it was incurred during active service due to exposure to contaminated material from air gun injections. The appeal is remanded as additional VA medical records are needed and a VA examiner's opinion on the etiology of the condition is required.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service tattoos. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for gunshot wound residuals remains pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection is granted for hepatitis C or rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are inextricably intertwined.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand disorder, characterized as Raynaud's phenomenon, is service-connected. The claim for hepatitis C was remanded and will be addressed in a separate decision.