Hepatitis C decisions — 2015

The Veteran has been diagnosed with hepatitis C and the Board finds that this condition is related to his military service, granting service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has decided that an examination is needed to determine the cause of hepatitis C, and the case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA will need to conduct a VA examination to determine if there is an association between the Veteran's IV drug abuse and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s) is granted as service connected. The Board finds that the Veteran has variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders that are as likely as not related to his active military service, including PTSD and mood disorder. For the lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy, the Board finds that it was incurred in service. Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA medical opinion, and a new addendum is required from the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the decision is on hold.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a hepatic disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by a blood transfusion during knee surgery in service. The VA examiner found the risk factor to be transfusion injection and concluded that it is less likely than not related to his knee surgery. A supplemental opinion is needed regarding whether the air gun injections are a potential source of hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not related to his service. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied. The initial disability rating for PTSD prior to September 10, 2014, was granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the denial to reopen the claim for service connection for right leg numbness as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection was denied for Hepatitis C and cellulitis in the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability, to include Hepatitis C, is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his diagnosis of hepatic steatosis and further medical opinion on the relationship between any liver disabilities other than Hepatitis C and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal dysfunction, hepatitis C and bilateral leg disorder other than varicose veins are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for both conditions. The Veteran withdrew these appeals during a June 2014 hearing.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of an earlier claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to the current effective date of June 20, 2011. Therefore, the earliest possible effective date for service connection of tinnitus is June 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is not etiologically related to any incident of active duty service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C may be related to his service, but additional evidence is needed to clarify this issue. The VA will need to obtain records from Yale Community Hospital and other relevant treatment providers for a definitive opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma as secondary to hepatitis C, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.