Hepatitis C decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a 100% disability rating effective April 25, 2005. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected disabilities and entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to July 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran's HCV is presumed new and material, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's consistent accounts of his service and credible testimony are considered along with a medical study supporting a link between tattooing during service and hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and hepatitis C as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension because he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his military service. Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded as VA treatment records are needed and a medical opinion on its etiology is required.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of liver (secondary to hepatitis C) due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa. The Veteran's service records indicate he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base from January 1970 to August 1971.

The Veteran's chronic hepatitis C is granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the period before September 26, 2017. For the period since September 26, 2017, a higher rating than 10 percent is denied. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has restored service connection for Hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic adjustment disorder. As a result, the grants of secondary service connection for these conditions, as well as entitlement to TDIU and Dependents’ Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 (DEA), are also restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and skin disability, finding that VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was granted with an effective date of April 16, 2014. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is one year prior to the date of receipt of the application (April 16, 2015), and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C was denied, and his appeal for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes or substantial weight loss due to hepatitis C, which are required for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7354.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a liver disability as secondary to hepatitis C.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current hepatitis C or liver disability to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and a liver disability as secondary to hepatitis C.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current hepatitis C or liver disability to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected hepatitis C is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis C were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his VA medical records and consideration of the issues related to service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates.