Hepatitis C decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue for further development. The Veteran's claim is now being reviewed de novo.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required before this claim can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia of the patella is currently rated at 30 percent since September 1, 2012. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during his period of service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain records from the Board for Correction of Naval Records regarding the appellant's character of discharge. The issues of service connection for alcoholism and hepatitis C remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and hepatitis C (claimed as a liver disorder) are not related to service or any incident of service. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for hepatitis C and a left leg disorder, but the AOJ has not yet formally adjudicated whether there is clear and unmistakable error in the August 1972 rating decision denying service connection for hallux valgus with bilateral bunions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for drug addition and hepatitis C liver condition are being held in abeyance due to their interrelation with the issue of acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board finds the Veteran's hepatitis C is as likely as not attributable to his military service, specifically through air gun injections used during basic training. The medical evidence supports this finding despite some inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported risk factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dermatological disorder and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his recent move and the need for a rescheduled Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for multiple disabilities are referred back to the AOJ.

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

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 10% prior to January 2, 2008 and granted a 40% rating from January 2, 2008 to November 30, 2008.,A subsequent reduction in rating to 10% was granted for the period after December 1, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's Hepatitis C Virus did not originate during his service or for many years after it concluded and is not otherwise related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO granted a 40 percent rating effective August 4, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.