Hepatitis C decisions — 2017

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

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, pes planus, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially rated at 10% and later increased to 20%, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's fibrosis of the liver and its relationship to his service-connected hepatitis C. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C but denied service connection for a thyroid disorder, finding that the current thyroid condition is not etiologically related to active service and was not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board finds that the evidence is in at least equipoise that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically an in-service tattoo. As such, service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the appeal for hepatitis C has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for Hepatitis C is being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's exposure to risk factors for hepatitis C in service and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding his claimed service connection. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during his active service, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2004 for the award of SMC based on aid and attendance was denied as there was no earlier ascertainable increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is more likely than not related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is not related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence of a respiratory disorder related to service, and the Veteran's pulmonary nodule is unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and a muscle condition was granted. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including those presumed due to in-service radiation exposure, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for left hand disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for Hepatitis C and Diabetes Mellitus.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.