Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C virus was contracted during active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's proteinuria and hepatitis C have been evaluated, but the psychiatric disability claim is pending further clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist DJD, and hepatitis C are related to service. The right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back, and respiratory disabilities are not shown to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hypertension are not service-connected as they are both attributed to his own willful misconduct, specifically intravenous drug use for hepatitis C and alcohol abuse for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his new and material evidence claims have not been successful. His erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's Hepatitis C claim has no relationship to service, and his eye disorder claim was found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to heroin use in his second period of active duty service, but did not consider possible exposure to blood from injured servicemen during combat. The Board finds this inadequate and remands the case for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is caused by his IV drug use during active service, and he has secondary cirrhosis of the liver with ascites and liver cancer. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to perceived deficiencies within a December 2014 VA examination, and both hepatitis C service connection and secondary diabetes mellitus claims are now pending for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been undetectable on laboratory testing and he does not have current symptoms. He is therefore not entitled to a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent for this condition.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's sinusitis has not resulted in incapacitating episodes or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has resulted in flexion limited to 90 degrees with a combined range of motion of 180 degrees and no objective evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. He is therefore not entitled to a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, residuals of TBI, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPV), but denied service connection for hepatitis C. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is October 31, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hair loss, skin condition, and hepatitis C are etiologically related to service. The claim for hair loss is denied due to a genetic cause, while the skin condition and hepatitis C are granted as they are presumed to be related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not resulted in intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician. Therefore, the claim for a compensable initial disability rating is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral ankle myofascial syndrome are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, as well as his respiratory condition to include emphysema. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The medical evidence does not support a connection between his service, presumed herbicide exposure, and his fatal conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability of the scalp and neck is presumed to have been aggravated by service, as evidenced by his in-service treatment for acne keloidalis. The claim for hepatitis C is granted based on direct service connection.,Service connection is established for a skin disability of the scalp and neck due to its onset during service and aggravation therefrom. Service connection for hepatitis C is also established.