The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of hepatitis has been reopened and granted. The initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids, scars of the right foot, and scars of the left fourth and fifth toes have also been granted. However, a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis at L5-S1 remains denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided new evidence indicating his hepatitis A had its onset during service or was otherwise related to service, which established the necessary unestablished fact for reopening the claim. The initial compensable ratings were granted based on current disability and the severity of symptoms. However, a higher rating could not be granted as it would exceed the maximum available under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- hepatitis A
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2012
- Citation
- 1244180
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 1244180.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hepatitis A as the evidence does not show a current disability related to active-duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to decide the claim of service connection for hepatitis A, as there are uncertainties in the current record and potential exposure during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis A, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hepatitis A began during his active-duty service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeals for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis A, a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 2, 2021.
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