Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA mental health records and service personnel records. The appellant's claim will be adjudicated on the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional information and evidence, including records from a counseling session at the Bradford Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a stressor. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being evaluated by a VA hepatologist to determine if it is related to military service due to unprotected sexual activity post-service. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the existence and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to hepatitis C. The Veteran's TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 2007. The rating for Hepatitis C has been increased to 20 percent, also effective October 2007. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and hepatitis C have all been denied by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The current disability ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for hepatitis C was granted but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus or erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C had its onset during active service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis C, claimed as due to VA inpatient treatment in 1985 is denied because there is no competent medical evidence showing that the Veteran received a blood transfusion or other blood products during his 1985 VA surgery and thus, the causation of his hepatitis C cannot be attributed to VA care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for hepatitis C and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of entitlement prior to May 14, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his liver disorder with a history of hepatitis C and service connection for a stomach condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

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