Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed all issues due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records, including prison medical records. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hepatitis C and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service, granting the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, otitis media, and a skin condition (excluding lichen planus) due to potential service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's representative requested new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's hepatitis A, B, and C have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected hepatitis.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,The case of service connection for hepatitis C is remanded and will be reconsidered based on the provided information.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hepatitis B and C diagnoses are related to his service or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features) as these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.

The appeal as to hepatitis C is dismissed. The appeals for service connection and rating increase related to the Veteran's low back condition, right leg radiculopathy, neuritis pain disorder of the right upper extremity, and residual scarring of the right hand are remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at 40 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and secondary service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for COPD and heart disability.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC at the (s) rate is denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as total during the period from January 14, 2003 to February 9, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted service connection on a direct basis. The Veteran's hypertension, which requires continuous medication for control of diastolic pressure above 100, is granted an initial compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not address whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his in-service exposure and drug use, so the case must be remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and hepatitis C due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis C, chronic liver disability (secondary to hepatitis C), diabetes mellitus (secondary to sleep apnea), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.