Hepatitis C decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to his service or service-connected PTSD. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rectal disorder and hepatitis C are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest during active military service and is not related to service, including as a result of air gun injections. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its connection to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination, additional records from Social Security Administration, New Jersey Department of Social Services, and Cumberland County Health Department should be obtained, and an addendum opinion is needed if the January 2009 addendum opinion does not meet the requirements.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that neither condition was related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current hepatitis C is found to have had its onset in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have onset in service and there is no competent evidence linking it to his active military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and associated pneumothorax were not determined to be caused by VA care, resulting in a denial of compensation benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death due to hepatitis C cirrhosis, which was caused by his service-connected PTSD and secondary to alcohol and IV drug abuse.

The Board has determined that the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is inextricably intertwined with the informal claim for an increased rating for service-connected depression. The RO must adjudicate both claims before proceeding further.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and review of service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has found that further development is required regarding the underlying service connection claim for hepatitis C, and the case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with another opportunity to report for a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 20 percent since June 18, 2004. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's HCV caused intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia from November 5, 2001 to December 31, 2004. Since January 1, 2005, his HCV has been essentially asymptomatic.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service-connected PTSD and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee degenerative joint disease, a low back disability, hemangiomas (claimed as brain and spinal tumors), headaches, hepatitis C, and a respiratory disorder, have been denied. The appeal is based on new evidence received to reopen service connection for a low back disability.

The appellant's non-service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C rated at 40 percent, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total rating for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of in-service events or risk factors that could have caused these conditions.