The veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher evaluation has been denied. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for gastrointestinal bleeding claimed to be due to VA medical treatment was also denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected hepatitis C does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of significant liver damage or disabling gastrointestinal symptoms that would warrant such a higher evaluation. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the veteran did not develop gastrointestinal bleeding due to VA medical treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0301159
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0301159.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, and obstructive sleep apnea but dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new VA addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's liver cancer and hepatitis C are related to his active service, including exposure to agent orange.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, with effective dates from March 15, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU and DEA based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and hepatitis C as there was no evidence of functional impairment sufficient to warrant a higher rating.
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