The Veteran's HCV was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The Board found that the most likely cause of his HCV is intravenous drug use, which occurred after he left active duty.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's history of intravenous drug abuse is more likely than not the cause of his HCV infection, rather than any potential risk factors related to service such as a blood transfusion during surgery for a gunshot wound in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0942536
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0942536.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence being received with respect to his hearing loss and/or ear disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), and recurrent chronic otitis media. The other issues remain unresolved.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome is remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran may have had hepatitis C at any time during the claim or approximate thereto, and it is related to service. However, due to a lack of medical evidence on this issue, the case must be remanded for further examination.
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