Hepatitis C decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition did not have onset during active service and was not caused by his active service.

Service connection is granted for a right eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The right eye disorder is related to service due to trauma from boxing matches. Bilateral hearing loss is linked to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus is secondary to the Veteran's hearing loss. Hepatitis C is associated with in-service injections.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his claims for service connection are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected hepatitis C, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for PTSD, a separate acquired psychiatric disorder (to include schizophrenia), hypertension, and right-side paresis have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,An effective date of October 12, 2010 for the increased rating of hepatitis C has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, hepatitis-C, psoriatic arthritis, and related issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The effective dates for hepatitis-C and psoriatic arthritis in the hands are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of hepatitis C, specifically whether it is related to in-service tattoos and air gun inoculations. The Veteran's service records show a diagnosis of hepatitis B during service, but no direct link to his current condition.

The Board has dismissed all the claims of service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and a bilateral ankle disability due to insufficient communication with the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hepatitis C, chronic lumbar spine disorder, and chronic right shoulder disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence or aggravation that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because his combined rating of 60% does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for an award of a schedular TDIU, and there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the July 2016 decision relied on a VA opinion that did not consider the Veteran's allegations about being inoculated with an airgun used without cleaning. The claims for hepatitis C and its secondary effects are remanded due to this issue.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his depressive disorder and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA clinical records, as well as an examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C, and thus denied service connection for diabetes. The case was also remanded for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding his hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the claims of service connection for difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. The Veteran's other claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, including for a psychological condition and Hepatitis C. The VA is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and provide supplemental medical opinions addressing causation or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to service and was noted on pre-induction examination prior to service.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder or right shoulder disability, arthritis of the upper extremities, or left knee disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's current disabilities are not linked to service.