Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, low back pain, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C is most likely caused by his illicit intravenous drug use during military service, and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of hepatitis A or C, nor do they have related residuals. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, while his claim for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is denied due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, including scheduling a hearing for the veteran who is currently incarcerated.

The veteran's hepatitis C and adjustment disorder have been service-connected, but the hepatitis C does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The adjustment disorder has been granted a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional pertinent medical evidence and new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a conflict in the issues and the need for further development, including informing the veteran of relevant VA regulations regarding establishment of service connection for diseases due to alcohol and/or drug abuse.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance, finding that there was no relationship between his cause of death (sepsis due to hepatic failure) and his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 21, 2000 for a 100 percent rating for hepatitis C with cirrhosis. The evidence showed that the disability had been manifested throughout the appeal period by near-constant debilitating symptoms.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from February 9, 2007. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in thought processes; grossly inappropriate behavior; and persistent danger of hurting self or others.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, PTSD, and essential tremors of both hands due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed stressors related to combat.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a bilateral foot disorder claimed as broken arches, thus denying both claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and conducting medical examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.