Hepatitis C decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7354, as there is no evidence of anorexia or incapacitating episodes lasting one week or more. As such, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claim for hepatitis C was remanded but no further action could be taken due to lack of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a liver disability, claimed as secondary to hepatitis C, need further development due to insufficient evidence. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and chronic hepatitis C infection, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board finds that hepatitis C is related to the Veteran's active service, including his blood transfusion and jet air gun injections. As such, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking to continue the appeal for an increased disability rating for hepatitis C, initially rated as 20 percent disabling. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues related to substitution and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's head injury in service resulted in an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now considered a compensable rating for residual scarring over the right eyebrow. The Board also granted service connection for residuals of a head injury resulting in an acquired psychiatric disorder and polyneuropathy as secondary to the head injury.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's liver cancer, as it was not addressed in the July 2013 VA examination despite being related to military service and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to perform most daily activities with some assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his claimed exposure and stressors, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ will also attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor concerning his service on a burial detail while stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a medical opinion on symptoms attributable to Hepatitis C and liver transplant residuals. The claim will be adjudicated again after these steps.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is rated at 40 percent since February 19, 2010. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which has hampered VA's duty to assist. The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including head injury, depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, substance abuse, genital herpes, hepatitis C, and joint and muscle pain.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the medical issues on appeal.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be the result of an injury in active military service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.