Hepatitis C decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's gallstones and bowel disability are not service-connected, as they are considered to be secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The Board denied these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating. The issue of TDIU prior to May 1, 2013, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis for hepatitis C, a heart disorder claimed as chest pain, or gunshot wound residuals of the right foot. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right knee disability and Hepatitis C. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his hepatitis C, are related to service. The claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his military service and is not due to willful misconduct. The VA examiner opined that the hepatitis C is more likely related to substance abuse, specifically cocaine use.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and considering new evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), alcoholism, and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no provision in VA regulations allowing for an effective date prior to August 17, 2007.