Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, specifically due to exposure through the use of a jet injector gun for inoculation in service. As such, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hepatitis C were previously denied, but new evidence was submitted after his death. The Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic and hepatitis C virus infection is denied as none of his service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected bronchial asthma and hepatitis C, TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and SMC based on housebound status from August 1, 2009. Additional development is required in each case.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not show daily fatigue or other symptoms warranting a higher rating. The effective date for VA compensation benefits for hepatitis C predicated upon the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 remains October 31, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for Hepatitis C and an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for hepatitis C and PTSD, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is denied for shin splints.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and special benefits are being remanded due to the need for further examinations and evaluations. The issues include diabetes mellitus, its associated peripheral neuropathies and vascular disease, liver cirrhosis or hepatitis C, hypertension secondary to diabetes, PTSD, and homebound status.

The Veteran's liver condition and hepatitis C are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service, specifically antibiotic treatment for strep D during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was reopened and denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between his in-service occurrence of hepatitis B and his current diagnosis of hepatitis C, thus denying service connection. The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were also denied as there was no medical evidence showing VA carelessness or negligence caused the cancer.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and chronic fatigue syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hepatitis C and liver disability and his service, including the use of jet injectors for vaccinations. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support this claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not shown to be related to his military service.,His hepatic disorder, including hepatitis C and cirrhosis, did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not linked to any in-service event.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not granted service connection due to pre-service drug use or willful misconduct. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70% and has been since July 11, 2011.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to August 3, 2009 for service connection of hepatitis C. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is May 8, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and reopened the claim for hepatitis C, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the hepatitis C claim. The Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service personal assault events, while his hepatitis C may be related to service but requires further examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was determined to be a result of his illicit drug use, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine use disorder. His hypertension is found to be secondary to his cirrhosis of the liver, while his chronic kidney disease is associated with his hypertension.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.