Hepatitis C decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's hepatitis C claim and granted service connection, finding that his current diagnosis is related to in-service risk factors such as unsafe sexual practices and obtaining tattoos.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and clarification of earlier effective date claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has resulted in no more than a mild decrease in energy level during 2005 drug treatment for the condition, and does not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran died in March 2008 from heroin and ethanol toxicity. The cause of death is not yet determined, as the appeal is remanded for additional development.

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

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis C with history of infectious hepatitis prior to March 27, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in symptomatology prior to this date warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C and right ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty military service. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and increased the Veteran's disability rating for his degenerative disc disease from 50% to 100%. The claimant is entitled to a higher evaluation for his DDD.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with secondary cirrhosis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of symptoms severe enough to warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim is also denied as there are no service-connected disabilities meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver has been rated at 60 percent since March 12, 1991. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any objective findings of these conditions during or immediately after service, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required before the issue on appeal may be decided on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, inguinal and cervical lymphadenopathy, residuals of an upper respiratory infection (COPD), and Guillian-Barre syndrome due to lack of direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and his request for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service or any link to military exposure, and denied the claim based on lack of a direct connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and/or liver cancer is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. Additional medical records are needed, including those from April 2007 onwards, as well as any SSA disability benefits decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne and hepatitis C were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to conflicting clinical opinions and the need for a VA specialist in epidemiology to provide an opinion on the etiology of his condition.