Hepatitis C decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board denied the service connection claim for hepatitis C as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The right hand disability is secondary to hepatitis C, but a dental disability cannot be established as it does not meet the criteria for compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion, as well as additional development of records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for any pulmonary disability remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for Hepatitis C. The VA examiner found that the current diagnosis is less likely than not related to service, but this opinion was deemed incomplete due to lack of explanation regarding air gun inoculations. The case is REMANDED for an addendum examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for Aid and Attendance of another person (A&A) or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by Hepatitis C, which developed due to his military service. The cause of death is therefore granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a skull fracture and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic disability related to any head/skull injury in service and that her pre-existing hepatitis C was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplant. The decision also grants service connection for aortic valve stenosis and esophageal varices as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran claims that his hepatitis C is due to VA dental treatment from 2003 to 2006. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining quality-assurance records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and occupational experience. The Board finds that the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating are met, granting non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is May 12, 2010.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for status post liver transplant is also May 12, 2010.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an additional examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the current VA examiner's opinion is deemed inadequate.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from August 2006 to August 2007 due to service-connected disabilities, but has been able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful occupation since then.

The Veteran's liver disease, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The cause of the Veteran's death due to end-stage liver disease has been established.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining outstanding SSA records and private treatment records, clarifying the type and amount of SSA benefits received by the Veteran, scheduling a VA examination for homebound status or need for aid and attendance, evaluating all nonservice-connected disabilities, and readjudicating the income issue in light of special monthly pension rates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hepatitis C is etiologically related to events during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further investigation and medical evaluation regarding his liver condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and lung disorder claims. The RO will investigate the alleged hepatitis outbreak on USS Forrestal and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.