Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by daily fatigue and occasional vomiting, anorexia, and malaise without evidence of hepatomegaly. The RO granted a 20 percent evaluation from July 15, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding his hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with associated liver cirrhosis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service and noting that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board concluded that his current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for jaundice and residuals of hepatitis C, status post liver transplant is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the appellant's claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's nerve entrapment syndrome is found to be proximately due to VA surgery and treatment, meeting the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151. Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 10 percent from May 8, 2001 to June 17, 2002. From June 18, 2002 to May 21, 2003, the rating was increased to 20 percent. After that period, a 10 percent rating has been maintained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 5, 2007 for service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis due to a lack of medical evidence linking his disease to service.

The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Hepatitis C was caused by an event or incident during active service. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board determined that the evidence demonstrates a nexus between the Veteran's current Hepatitis C and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's liver disorder, claimed as liver damage, is related to his service-connected porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial disability rating greater than 40 percent for hepatitis C has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further review of the medical records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was manifested by intermittent or daily symptoms of fatigue, requiring continuous medication. The RO granted a noncompensable disability rating for the period from August 1, 2002 through March 22, 2005 and a 10 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a ruptured eardrum during military service. The other claims of service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his hepatitis C disability, including consideration of risk factors such as handling wounded soldiers without gloves and having pre-service headaches.