Hepatitis C decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on moderately severe symptoms. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was reopened and service connection was granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver and his military service. The VA examiners opined that these conditions are more likely related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which may be associated with hyperlipidemia and obesity.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hepatitis C, were denied. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred during an eligible period of service, and the Board finds that hepatitis C and cirrhosis did not have their onset in service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, depression, hypertension, gout, and hepatitis C are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD is not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hepatitis C claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and the need to correct an address error. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening service connection claims and seeking increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence to support it. However, the claims for psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, headaches, neck disability, and left knee disability have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying an in-service incident involving contact with the blood of other service members. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if his hepatitis C is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain verification of his reserve service periods and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hepatitis C with cirrhosis.

The Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, and therefore denies his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran asserts that his hepatitis C results from exposure to blood products during service, specifically military use of immunization jet injectors. The Board acknowledges the risk factors for contracting hepatitis C and finds a need for further examination to determine the likely etiology of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran's claims for depression with stress were not addressed as they are not related to the appeal of hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and a skull fracture, were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence but ultimately denied.