Hepatitis C decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2006 to January 3, 2007. As of January 4, 2007, the rating for cirrhosis alone increased to 70 percent effective December 15, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lymphoma and hepatitis C, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or a causal link to his conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to, by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam or Thailand and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to an in-service event and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of other risk factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hepatic cirrhosis, sleep apnea, and a dental disorder are all denied. The Veteran is eligible for class IV VA outpatient dental treatment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bipolar disorder (claimed as depression) were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service, including a lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure.

The Veteran's symptoms of daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia were found to meet the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating from September 25, 2008 to April 4, 2011. A higher rating is not warranted during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, provide examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, and determine the appropriate service connection theory.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 12, 2008 for the award of service connection for hepatitis C status post liver transplant was denied.,Prior to January 22, 2013, the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for hepatitis C was also denied. After January 22, 2013, his claim for an increased rating was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and hepatitis C are pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as noncompensable since June 19, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of an initial 20 percent rating for daily fatigue, malaise, and intermittent dietary restrictions.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn by the appellant. The RO granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint arthritis, and thus the issue of entitlement to a right knee disability is no longer in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current service-connected disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, or hepatitis C. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the current record is incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and stroke are inextricably intertwined with the issue of severance of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the result of VA medical treatment is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the October 2012 VA opinion did not address his in-service risk factor of receiving a tattoo. The case is therefore being remanded for this purpose.