Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board denied the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and bipolar disorder in April 2008, which became final. The Veteran's new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding Hepatitis C and another regarding a bilateral lower extremity disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is directly related to his service, specifically his jaw surgery in service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and dyshidrotic eczema due to incomplete evaluations and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current diagnosis of hepatitis C to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of April 22, 2011.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more requiring continuous medication for control. For hepatitis C, the Veteran's condition has been effectively treated and is asymptomatic.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, stating that his service-connected disabilities alone were not sufficient to cause unemployability in the period of one year before the date of claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and granted it, finding that new evidence (the Veteran's account of what a doctor told him) raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the claim is denied as there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service blood in urine and his current hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a detailed statement regarding his assault stressor. The Veteran will be asked to provide these documents.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected. Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and skin cancer due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements are considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for hepatitis C was granted, but the Board finds that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient medical evidence linking his current condition to military service.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for non-service-connected pension benefits was also denied. The Board found that there was no written communication indicating intent to file a claim prior to November 17, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his alcohol use, leading to liver disorders and death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disabilities, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied due to lack of evidence linking HCV or liver cancer to VA medical care.