Hepatitis C decisions — 2014

The Veteran likely has PTSD that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the impact of his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver on his employability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred during his military service and is therefore granted. The issue of a higher rating for the right leg fracture with knee disability prior to March 18, 2010 remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hepatitis C with cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a chronic headache disorder have all been granted. The conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion in May 1980 was denied, and her service connection claim for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol dependence, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2008, and has remained at that level since. The claim is being dismissed as the criteria for an increased evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 40 percent effective from June 12, 2009. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur an injury during military service that caused current testicular atrophy or pain, and thus denied his claim for residuals of a groin injury. The hepatitis C claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's pes planus and hepatitis C are also found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are credible and supported by evidence. The diagnoses of PTSD and hepatitis C have been established post-service, with a link to in-service exposure.

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

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease, claimed as a stomach disorder, and hepatitis C, secondary to service-connected Crohn's disease.

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

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C is dismissed as his appeal was not timely perfected.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate compensable rating for depression as secondary to hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, which was diagnosed prior to service and aggravated by active service, caused his death. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support this conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C are service-connected as they were incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Hepatitis C are pending.