Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and vision loss as there is no evidence of a disease or injury that would qualify for compensation benefits.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 100% since October 13, 2014. The effective date for the dependency allowance is set to June 2016. The Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that hepatitis C is not attributable to service, including via air gun injections or exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's diagnosis of hepatitis C was more likely related to his own risk factors such as intranasal cocaine use and unprotected sex.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of hepatitis C and a TDIU. The case has been remanded due to missing VA treatment records, the need for a new examination, and referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is being remanded due to outstanding records and a need for a new VA examination. The examiner must consider the Veteran's reported in-service drug use, including IV drug use during Vietnam, as well as any other relevant factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have not resulted in sufficient symptoms to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's marginal zone lymphoma is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for Hepatitis C remains pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral knee disorder are not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a risk factor for contracting hepatitis C related to his in-service vaccinations, and thus denied service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim due to anxiety disorder.

The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical opinions and compliance with prior remand instructions. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected throat cyst removal surgery and hepatitis C has been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has service connection for polysubstance abuse secondary to his PTSD. His hepatitis-C and cirrhosis of the liver are also found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected polysubstance abuse disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, reopening the claim and finding that it was incurred in service. The other claims remain pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of Agent Orange exposure, and the conditions claimed are not shown to be related to his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from January 15 to January 19, 2010 at Glen Falls Hospital were reimbursed due to the nature of his symptoms and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy are found to be related to service, with the most likely source being drug use in the early 1970s. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the submitted evidence since the July 2009 final denial is essentially cumulative of the evidence previously of record with regard to the basis for the prior denial, and thus did not meet the criteria for reopening any of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected, as it was more likely caused by post-service activities such as intravenous drug use and a blood transfusion after a burn incident. The issues of back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal.