Hepatitis C decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability has been rated at 60 percent since July 2, 2001. The symptoms have included daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with substantial weight loss and hepatomegaly, warranting a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a liver disability, including as due to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and has granted service connection based on evidence showing it is as likely as not related to in-service vaccinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his SSA records, schedule him for a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability, for which he has been service-connected since May 1996, has been productive of cirrhosis since September 2001. The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 25, 2001, for the grant of service connection for cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for further consideration due to issues with the medical opinions provided and incomplete private treatment records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was caused by intravenous drug use, which is not service-connected. The cause of death (cirrhosis) was found to be related to the hepatitis C, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be alcohol dependence, which resulted from his service-connected PTSD. This conclusion is based on the autopsy report and clinical records indicating that alcohol abuse contributed substantially to liver failure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by his military service. The VA has requested additional medical records and will review the case with a specialist in hematology to determine if there is evidence of hepatitis C related to service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current Hepatitis C to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C was denied. The appeal is currently pending and the decision summary will be provided once the final determination is made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is not related to her active service and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a proper medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

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

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

The Board has found that service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is granted on a direct service connection basis. The underlying secondary service connection claim for hepatitis C will be remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was initially denied in November 1994. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at March 31, 1994, as this is when the Veteran filed his initial claim and entitlement had arisen prior to that time.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is less likely than not related to his receipt of air gun vaccines in service and more likely due to his history of intravenous drug use. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.