Hepatitis C decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C have been denied.,An effective date of June 29, 2010, but no earlier, has been granted for the increased rating of 100 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a right shoulder condition, secondary service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as skin discoloration), and service connection for Hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The decision on one issue could significantly impact the other two.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a liver disorder related to hepatitis C is granted, with the condition being considered secondary to his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and he is granted new evidence supporting his claim. The VA will schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis and necrotizing fasciitis status post skin graft have been remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a mass of the neck, tuberculosis, and vision disability have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been granted for hypertension, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, diabetes, or neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not caused symptoms such as intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating may be warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's active service and his current condition. The VA examiners have opined against this claim.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and did not reopen the claim for end-stage renal disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, and has remanded his claims for porphyria cutanea tarda and skin cancer due to herbicide exposure.

The Board previously denied service connection for hepatitis C, but the appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's representative asserts that his service treatment records may be mixed with personnel records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, headaches, hepatitis C, and fatigue/malaise due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims for disabilities of the back, right shoulder, hips, knees, and ankles are inextricably intertwined with the claim for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and is granted. The initial increased rating claim for PTSD remains remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The mood disorder is rated at 50% since November 29, 2010. Hepatitis C and gallstones/cirrhosis of the liver are each rated at 100% effective July 1, 2016. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20%. Erectile dysfunction continues to be noncompensable. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the earliest indication of a diagnosis occurred more than 25 years after the Veteran left active service and considering conflicting medical opinions. The Board found the January 2016 and August 2016 VA examiners' opinions to be more probative.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hypertension claims are denied. The hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.