The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct link to his military service. The claim for service connection for alcohol dependence was denied due to it being considered willful misconduct.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current condition of hepatitis C exposure is less likely than not related to his service-connected human bite because hepatitis C cannot be contracted through saliva. His alcohol dependence, diagnosed after service, is a result of his own willful misconduct and abuse of alcohol or drugs.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatitis C, alcohol dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2009
- Citation
- 0929912
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 0929912.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol dependence.
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