Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in full, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the individual claimants' cases. The Board also found that hypertension, hepatitis C, and a stomach disorder/intestinal blockage were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to intravenous (IV) drug use during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, hiatal hernia, peptic stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, and Hepatitis C were denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, left leg disability (status post fracture), and right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding an initial compensable rating for status post fracture of the right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, Erectile Dysfunction, and Diabetes Mellitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran had a pending claim for service connection of hepatitis C at the time of his death. However, he did not have any claims for VA benefits pending at the time of his death and thus does not qualify for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to ambiguity surrounding the origin of his condition and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A, B, and C is being remanded due to the addition of relevant service records. The case will be reconsidered without regard to previous denials.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, but the medical evidence does not associate this condition with his active service. The Board denies entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA specialist regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and whether it is at least as likely as not related to sexually transmitted diseases or tattoos acquired during service. The claim will be reviewed after these developments.

The Veteran's hepatitis-C infection and depression are both granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and hepatitis A, B, and C due to herbicide exposure are denied as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any other relevant exposure. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing SSA records and other actions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis has been manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, but without weight loss or hepatomegaly. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not productive of incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain) having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past 12-month period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability (PTSD) and hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset during service and ruled against his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for orchitis, status post left orchiectomy and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The decision also noted that no VA examination was provided in this context.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, and initial and maximum ratings for PTSD and substance abuse are being remanded due to the need for additional development.