Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, basilar artery stenosis, GERD, and HCV. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a low back disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied, and his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of an injury to the left hip and left knee was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tonsillectomy treatment did not result in an additional disability caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA medical providers. The need for a blood transfusion was not reasonably foreseeable as a consequence of surgery or post-operative care.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was contracted as a result of his exposure to blood products in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic hepatitis C and liver damage are likely due to exposure to contaminated blood during his active service, particularly in connection with his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's exposure as a hospital corpsman during service is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current condition and any incident or finding during service. The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not apparent until many years after service, and there is no indication of an in-service risk factor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability or evidence of in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran is granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, status post liver transplant.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the legal requirements for eligibility due to lack of qualifying service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.