Hepatitis C decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his Hepatitis C, hypertension, and impotency.

The Board found that the veteran's Hepatitis C is not etiologically related to his period of active service and denied the claim.

The veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current status and frequency of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, cervical spine, low back, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a service-connected disability. However, the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the claim can be decided, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hepatitis C, status post liver transplant is being remanded due to procedural defects in the VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 20 percent is warranted for hepatitis C beginning February 2, 2006. A higher initial rating prior to this date is denied.

The veteran's request for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to his inability to attend a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be rescheduled for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C warrants a 30 percent rating for the period from October 5, 2001 through September 6, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's current Hepatitis C was not incurred during his active military service and is not related to any in-service exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran has PTSD as a result of his in-service stressor and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's current hepatitis C is related to his time in service.