Hepatitis C decisions — 2013

The Board finds that further development is required to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and hepatitis C. The current VA examinations are inadequate, and additional evidence may be needed.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion regarding whether hepatitis in service is related to hepatitis noted on the Veteran's death certificate. The issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Board grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service is sufficient to establish a diagnosis and link between his current PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and a VA examination for his prostate disorder and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has resulted in daily fatigue, malaise, and hepatomegaly. The RO granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his lumbar spondylosis, nerve damage of the right wrist, and hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, arthritis of unspecified joints (other than the spine), and a low back disability. The claim for service connection for a lung disability was not addressed as it was remanded to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities have been rated at 30 percent since April 18, 2013. The claims for service connection for HCV and the clothing allowance or fee dispute are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis C during service and did not find continuous symptoms after service. The Veteran's liver conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, and it was the primary cause of his death from sepsis.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C with associated liver cirrhosis is at least as likely as not incurred during his active service, including exposure to air gun inoculations and getting a tattoo.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim but that the evidence did not establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hand arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, and left foot arthritis. The claim for Hepatitis C was also denied as it is not considered to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, drug dependency, gastrointestinal disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability (excluding PTSD) have been denied. The Veteran's drug dependency is not service-connected as it was the result of willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Hepatitis C had its onset in service and grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and finds that his symptoms are more likely related to his service-connected insomnia and nonservice-connected Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of record showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and his active duty service, or that it was proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in his leg, polysubstance abuse/addiction, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.