Hepatitis C decisions — 2013

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

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which was diagnosed in 2001. The appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active military service, while finding that his hepatitis C is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The hepatitis C issue is also being remanded due to lack of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a withdrawal of appeal for the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being reviewed, and additional development is needed including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C infection, finding that the Veteran's combat experiences with wounded and dead soldiers in Vietnam is a significant risk factor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is not etiologically related to any incident of active duty service. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active military service, with resolution of any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, chronic sinusitis, and chronic rhinitis based on direct evidence of in-service disease or injury. The Veteran's MOS included exposure to asbestos, dust, and toxic fumes during his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C likely pre-existed his first period of service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a stomach disability, finding no evidence to support these claims. The headaches claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Hepatitis C are still pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis, and is remanding the remaining issues of service connection for depression and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allegations of a fall during active duty and subsequent chronic back pain are not credible. The Board finds service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred as a result of service, supported by evidence showing in-service risk factors and subsequent diagnosis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have been rated at 60 percent since March 22, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for liver cancer as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.