Hepatitis C decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case will be readjudicated after scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for Hepatitis C prior to February 9, 2012 and from that date was denied as the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication. From February 9, 2012, the evidence showed near-constant debilitating symptoms but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence and provide a medical opinion.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent, and his athlete's foot is not compensably rated.,During the appeal period, the Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by intermittent fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and weight loss. His athlete's foot covered less than five percent of exposed skin and required topical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of entitlement and requests for additional records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C, but has denied the claim as there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as his hepatitis C was determined to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and specifically ruled out Agent Orange exposure as a contributing factor. The evidence does not support direct service connection for the causes of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic hepatitis C was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically his intravenous drug use during service. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C.

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

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct link between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his military service, including any air gun inoculations. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's hepatitis C from September 18, 1977 to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was productive of intermittent right upper quadrant pain prior to June 14, 2012. Since then, he has experienced daily fatigue, arthralgia, and continuous medication without incapacitating episodes or weight loss. The Board found no evidence warranting a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 2002 RO decision. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C from January 9, 2013 was denied by the Board. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on hepatitis C is also pending.

The Board found that the appellant's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The appeal for an increased rating of hepatitis C is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and remanded it to consider whether new evidence supports a grant of service connection.