Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted. Service connection for Hepatitis C is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective January 1, 2017. The reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper.

An evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected hepatitis C from June 10, 2015 is granted. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and tender scar, status post hernia repair is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, congestive heart failure, and hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that it was related to the Veteran's intravenous drug use before, during, and after service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected. Service connection for Hepatitis C remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for hepatitis C or that regulation of activities due to diabetes required in order to grant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during or was caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and hepatitis C due to incomplete history provided by the VA examiner in March 2012. The issues are now inextricably intertwined as they all relate to his active duty service from June 1970 to June 1973.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed as outlined in the decision.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the Veteran has raised a claim for TDIU in conjunction with his hepatitis C disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, bilateral inguinal and ventral hernias, and entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The claims for hypertension and COPD have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for lung cancer is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year post-service. Effective dates are granted for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than nightmare disorder (claimed as PTSD), was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,Service connection for Nightmare Disorder was granted. The VA examiner concluded it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s diagnosed nightmare disorder was incurred in service.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and granted. However, the Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his active duty service, while his PTSD may be due to a superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records related to his hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver condition, including Hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied in an August 2006 rating decision. The RO determined that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and any in-service risk factors.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for PTSD prior to March 10, 2006 is dismissed as untimely filed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending. The RO will schedule him for a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD.