Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information and evidence, including medical records from the Veteran's service and any risk factors for hepatitis C.

The Veteran likely developed hepatitis C as a result of his active military service and has current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was granted a 20% evaluation, effective from July 28, 2004. His mood disorder/depression associated with hepatitis C with cirrhosis received an initial 50% evaluation from July 28, 2004 to August 24, 2005 and remains at 50%. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension claims are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and left eye disorder (glaucoma) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from May 11, 2007. The right patellar arthrosis and hepatitis C were each granted separate 10 percent ratings effective from May 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Hepatitis C was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not show a causal relationship between the conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for Hepatitis C was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it was related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether there is a 50 percent or better probability that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for hepatitis C, and his right knee disorder warrants a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and hepatitis C were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings.