Hepatitis C decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and for the cause of his death. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether hepatitis C, which contributed to the Veteran's death, was incurred in or related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused or aggravated by his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis B and C in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's assertions were considered but outweighed by the lack of objective medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service, including exposure from air gun inoculations. As a result, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and chronic otitis externa are not service-connected, but has granted a 10% rating for chronic otitis externa since February 5, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's intravenous drug use was more likely the cause of his condition.,The Board also denied service connection for a brain tumor, concluding that there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Obtain SSA records and associate them with the claims file; (2) Schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of hepatitis C, residuals of left hand injury, and residuals of head injury; (3) Schedule a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability. The case will be returned to the Board after all possible development has been completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing outstanding VA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis-C is not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion. The appeal will be considered again after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and a low back disorder. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left upper arm/shoulder disorder, and dental disorder (for VA outpatient treatment purposes). The appeal is pending on the issue of service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated as 10 percent disabling. After review of the evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board finds that a 40 percent rating is warranted due to near-constant debilitating symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion and new contentions from the Veteran's representative. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's drug abuse, which is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, caused his hepatitis B and C.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was rated at 20 percent prior to April 24, 2013 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran is not unemployable due solely to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but it is unclear whether the new evidence supports or contradicts the original denial. The appellant contends that her husband's liver cancer was related to dental procedures in service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, leading to denial of both claims.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the evaluation for diabetes mellitus, a compensable evaluation from November 17, 2005 to November 16, 2007, and TDIU from November 17, 2005 to August 23, 2011 are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, skin cancer, and PVD. The claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.