Hepatitis C decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a rating were granted. The hearing loss disability remains noncompensably disabling, the hepatitis C is rated as noncompensably disabling with intermittent fatigue and arthralgia, and the degenerative spondylosis of L5 with spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 has been restored to 40 percent.

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

The Board has determined that there is no direct service connection for hepatitis C, as the evidence does not establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board found that hepatitis C did not have its clinical onset in line of duty and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in active service and is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of hepatitis C service connection has been granted, and his initial rating in excess of 10 percent is also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver cancer, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, a bladder disability, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, and denied his claims for PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims, including those related to hearing loss, shoulder injury, knee instability, and limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and associated scar, effective December 11, 2014. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is remanded as VA outpatient records are needed to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations, as well as to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in the adjudication of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and none of his claims for accrued benefits purposes have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, eyesight disorder, bilateral leg stiffness and cramps, vertigo, and Meniere's disease are being remanded due to missing records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for hepatitis C and a liver disorder, as well as the TDIU claim, are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot disability and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need to obtain inpatient hospital records, military personnel records, and VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if any current hepatitis C disability is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not yet decided.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not shown to have been incurred in service, and the Board finds that it is more likely due to his post-service intravenous drug use.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining records related to the Veteran's service and death. The appellant is required to provide additional evidence or face a decision based on the current record.