Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

Service connection for hepatitis C and dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression) is granted. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a low back disorder was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and inconsistencies in his statements. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from VA facilities and any other sources identified by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) need to be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and hearing loss due to potential new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The claims for accrued benefits, service connection, and burial benefits are being remanded due to unadjudicated claims at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant must be notified about her rights to pursue these claims as either a substitute or an accrued benefit claimant.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and remanded the issues of service connection for a lung disorder to include pleural plaque thickening due to asbestos exposure, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's other specified trauma-related disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also receives an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) under section 1114(s).

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and hepatitis C are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise for both conditions, granting service connection based on noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, passive aggressive personality disorder, and hepatitis C have been reopened. The claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support its grant.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disorder, back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis C. The Veteran's migraines are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, low back disability, and right knee disability have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, end-stage liver failure due to hepatitis C, is considered service-connected for purposes of entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits. However, the appellant was not owed any accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death as no monetary benefits were due based on his initial claim filed before he died.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have not caused symptoms such as intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia, or any incapacitating episodes (with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain). As a result, a compensable initial evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a liver transplant, finding that further examination is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and a nervous condition is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and enlarged liver with indicated fatty infiltration and cysts (claimed as cysts) are denied. The claim of service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disorder, a disorder of the left leg (including degenerative joint disease of the left hip), hepatitis C, and epididymitis due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, depression, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C.