Hepatitis C decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a liver disorders examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not ripe for adjudication due to the pending hepatitis C claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for hepatitis C from 20% to 10%, effective March 1, 2007 was improper due to a lack of application of the provisions set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.344. The Board restored the original 20% schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was first diagnosed during his active duty service and resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim, granting service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the unavailability of the VLJ who conducted the October 2010 hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C disability is causally related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm. The remaining issues are pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hepatitis C and head injury residuals are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting in-service exposure. The claim for hepatitis C is denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to active duty, while the claim for head injury residuals is granted based on a history consistent with his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his period of active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure and causation.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is not symptomatic and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hepatitis C and a gastrointestinal disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for hepatitis B and C is denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the claim was not filed within one year of his discharge from active duty, and thus no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C service connection claims are being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a shortness of breath disability due to asbestos exposure, but denied reopening his claim for Hepatitis C disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's COPD disability.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's use of illicit drugs during service was a result of his willful misconduct. The Board concluded that the risk factors for hepatitis C were not incurred in line of duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking a VA medical opinion regarding his hepatitis C and PTSD claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of hepatitis C or frostbite of the feet related to his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.