Hepatitis C decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a noncompensable rating prior to January 5, 2012. From January 5, 2012, he is now assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation for his hepatitis C. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level VI in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C, including lack of an opinion addressing all risk factors and possible etiologies.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his STRs and a copy of his DD Form 214, VA treatment records, and any SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be conducted.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase on his right thumb disability was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.,His claim to reopen his Hepatitis C service connection claim has been granted, but the underlying issue of whether it is related to service remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not addressed in this decision. The Board found that the Veteran has hepatitis C related to his military service and granted service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent or higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or significant weight loss.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been manifested by daily fatigue and intermittent abdominal pain, but not weight loss or hepatomegaly. The criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is attributable to service. The claims of service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including a mood disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 20 percent since October 2, 2002. The rating is granted as the condition meets the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation based on daily fatigue and malaise.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and there is no evidence to support a service connection for PTSD for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated as noncompensably disabling from November 15, 2007 to March 3, 2010 and as 10 percent disabling since March 4, 2010. The Board found that the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate based on intermittent symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, and occasional incapacitating episodes.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder with depressive features), and glaucoma were not supported by credible evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms. The Board denied these service connection claims.

The Veteran's claimed hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected because it was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically drug use. The claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to a relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his period of service, thus granting service connection for hepatitis C on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and a kidney disorder, to include as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service risk factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to her active military service.