Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service tattoos and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and Hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his service connection claims. The Veteran is seeking service connection for both conditions based on in-service noise exposure and immunization, respectively.

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

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and an increased rating for anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder was granted effective May 1, 2013. The rating for tinnitus was also granted effective May 1, 2013. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, hepatitis C, a genitourinary condition, and dental pain due to unclear service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty need to be verified.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for Hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not manifested daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with substantial weight loss and hepatomegaly; or experienced any incapacitating episodes of hepatitis C totaling a duration of at least six weeks during any 12-month period. Therefore, the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service-connected PTSD, as he used drugs like cocaine during service. The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain the Veteran's full service department records, which may contain information relevant to his claim for hepatitis C.

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied an increased rating for hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in hepatitis C and residual painful scars disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne and remanded the claims of hepatitis C and hair loss due to exposure to herbicides. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (vasectomy), Hepatitis C and a liver disorder, thigh scarring as secondary to Hepatitis C, scars from injections associated with Hepatitis C, headaches including migraines, and a cognitive disorder to include Alzheimer's disease. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to active service.

The Board has vacated its decision denying service connection for hepatitis C due to the presence of a current diagnosis. The case is now remanded for an addendum VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his Hepatitis C claim is denied.