The Veteran's hepatitis C was not characterized by daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks during the past 12 months prior to August 14, 2012. As of August 14, 2012, his hepatitis C was not characterized by incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months, weight loss, or hepatomegaly.,The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not present with portal hypertension and splenomegaly; history of one or more episodes of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy; or generalized weakness, substantial weight loss, and persistent jaundice, or ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy refractory to treatment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it was not characterized by daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia requiring dietary restriction or continuous medication, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks during the past 12 months prior to August 14, 2012. As of August 14, 2012, his hepatitis C was not characterized by incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.,The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver did not meet criteria for a higher rating as it did not present with portal hypertension and splenomegaly; history of one or more episodes of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy; or generalized weakness, substantial weight loss, and persistent jaundice, or ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hemorrhage from varices or portal gastropathy refractory to treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis C, Cirrhosis of the liver
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2015
- Citation
- 1545545
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 1545545.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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