Hepatitis C Board decisions

The veteran's depression and hepatitis C were granted service connection, with effective dates of October 29, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also granted as of February 12, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and the increased rating claim for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency of the right lower extremity. The veteran's active duty as a medic did not provide evidence of exposure to contaminated blood or fluids, and his post-service medical records showed he was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2000.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C exposure during service and denied the claim as there was insufficient medical evidence to link current hepatitis C to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the veteran's hepatitis C and right hand condition, including Raynaud's phenomenon. The claims are to be adjudicated again based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected dorsal spine injury and hepatitis C. The veteran was previously assigned a 10 percent evaluation for hepatitis C, but the current evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating. For the dorsal spine disability, the evidence showed that while there were orthopedic manifestations including pain, they did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent evaluation based on Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.

The veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred between February 14, 2002 and December 16, 2002. The VAMC denied the claim due to lack of evidence showing emergent need for non-VA prescribed medications. The Board has decided to remand the case for further review.

The veteran died from cirrhosis of the liver due to gastrointestinal bleeding. The appellant seeks service connection for both his cause of death and hepatitis C, which is a condition he was diagnosed with prior to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C, residuals of rheumatic fever, depression, PTSD, or chronic alcoholism that are related to his military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C has been granted service connection, but an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied prior to January 10, 2007. As of that date, a 20 percent rating was assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, residuals of drug use, and residuals of a back injury. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension, right renal calculi, and Hepatitis C due to additional development being required. The issues include service connection for hypertension (secondary), a higher evaluation for right renal calculi, and an increased rating for Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hepatitis C is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for hepatitis C.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and hepatitis C are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's death was caused by liver failure due to hepatitis C, which is service-connected. The appellant is also granted service connection for hepatitis C for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred during active service and precluded by drug abuse.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The focus is on determining whether hepatitis C was incurred during active service.

The veteran's liver cancer and hepatitis C were not service-connected, and the cause of death was denied. Burial benefits were also denied.