Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for hepatitis C was denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or causation.,Service connection for a skin disorder (pruritus and lichen planus) has been granted based on new evidence showing current disability related to service.,Depression secondary to PTSD is now considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran submitted additional evidence in support of his claim but it was deemed redundant or insufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, specifically her in-service blood transfusion. The Veteran is asked to provide a more definitive opinion on whether her hepatitis C was related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not manifested during service and is not shown to be causally related to his military service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% evaluation from November 26, 2012.,Service connection for scars on the left and right medial thighs is granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C is reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is reopened and granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and seizure disorder, as these conditions may be related to his active service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations for both conditions.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for tuberculosis is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.,A disability manifested by cramps in the thighs and legs has not been established.,Service connection for a hammertoe of the right foot has not been established.,Allergic rhinitis did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Hypertension did not have its onset in service; did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; and is not otherwise related to service.,Erectile dysfunction did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,A prostate disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Toenail fungus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,An acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were initially denied due to his service-connected disabilities not constituting an employment handicap. However, a significant change in his disability picture has occurred since the initial denial, including new service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension. The Board now requires a functional capacity evaluation to determine if he currently suffers from an employment handicap.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cancer and hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claim of service connection, as both conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 24, 2014 for the award of non-service connected pension benefits due to a credible assertion by the Veteran that he initiated a claim on this date. The part of the August 2018 decision denying entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to November 17, 2015 is vacated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, pleural disease, and hepatitis C due to insufficient information regarding asbestos exposure and other factors.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C, as it impacts his employability.

The Veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis C, was not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to April 5, 2013. From that date onwards, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, request SSA disability benefits information, provide a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, and her TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for additional development.