Hepatitis C decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disability, hypertension, and Hepatitis C were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.,There is no persuasive evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and acid reflux, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the claim for a rating higher than 60 percent for hepatitis C and duodenal ulcer disease to allow further development, including obtaining medical opinions. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for hepatitis C has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service risk factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C infection is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of laceration to the toes of the right foot due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was previously denied in March 2002, and new evidence received since then is considered material but does not establish service connection.

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

The Board found that hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in or were caused by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the receipt of additional Social Security Administration records and documents from the veteran, which need to be considered in deciding the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hepatitis C, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims based on lack of verified stressors and no medical nexus between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disorder are both found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and updating his records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for hepatitis C with portal fibrosis and cirrhosis, to include hepatitis B, and pulmonary sarcoidosis with dry eyes.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective October 1999. The Board found that the criteria for a higher initial evaluation were not met prior to June 10, 2003 and beginning June 10, 2003.