Hepatitis C decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if hepatitis C is secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records, service personnel records, and VA medical records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has hepatitis C and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to intravenous (IV) drug use during service.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for a left elbow condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an effective date earlier than June 24, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against her claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in full, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the individual claimants' cases. The Board also found that hypertension, hepatitis C, and a stomach disorder/intestinal blockage were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, hiatal hernia, peptic stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, and Hepatitis C were denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, left leg disability (status post fracture), and right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding an initial compensable rating for status post fracture of the right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, Erectile Dysfunction, and Diabetes Mellitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to ambiguity surrounding the origin of his condition and need for additional development.

The Veteran had a pending claim for service connection of hepatitis C at the time of his death. However, he did not have any claims for VA benefits pending at the time of his death and thus does not qualify for accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA specialist regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and whether it is at least as likely as not related to sexually transmitted diseases or tattoos acquired during service. The claim will be reviewed after these developments.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, but the medical evidence does not associate this condition with his active service. The Board denies entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C.