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 deciding factor: The service personnel records were silent on any potential exposure to hepatitis C risk factors, including instances of the veteran's personal exposure to contaminated blood and fluids. Post-service medical records confirmed a diagnosis of active hepatitis C virus but did not provide evidence of service connection due to lack of in-service findings or exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0828087
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 0828087.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable initial rating for Hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition was asymptomatic and did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C with cirrhosis is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it related to his active duty service and aggravated by his service-connected tibia fractures. The claim for hepatitis C is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for depressive disorder is established based on direct evidence of a current disability (depressive disorder) that was incurred during active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Hepatitis C, lumbar DDD with strain, osteomyelitis, and loss of use of right foot disability rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective October 28, 2008, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under various provisions.
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