The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver as it was not shown to be related to the veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner ranked risk factors and concluded that IV drug use and high-risk sexual activity were more likely causes than in-service inoculations or unsanitary living conditions, which are unlikely given how hepatitis C is transmitted.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0813178
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 cervical disc disease with radiculopathy, secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Board also granted ratings of 50%, 80%, and 40% for various neurological conditions affecting the lower extremities, as well as a rating of 60% for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver, steatosis/fatty liver and status post cholecystectomy prior to October 1, 2011, granted a 100 percent rating from October 1, 2011, to March 31, 2013, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent since March 31, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a 100 percent disability rating and TDIU to ensure all necessary development is completed, including obtaining a completed VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to obtain a more definitive medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver and any outstanding SSA records.
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