Hepatitis C decisions — 2019

The appeal for a back disorder is dismissed. The hepatitis C claim, along with its secondary claims for laparoscopic hernia repair, PTSD, and liver cancer, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C has been remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding herbicide exposure. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or depression) has also been remanded for a separate opinion on both PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, allergies, bronchitis, hypertension, and irritable bowel condition have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service. The claim for hepatitis C due to herbicide exposure has also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The claim for a low back condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of whether his conditions are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, Hepatitis C, a skin rash in his groin area, amebiasis, and a skin rash on his right ankle due to insufficient medical evidence. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a compensable rating for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service disease or injury leading to current issues with depression, and that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical records and incomplete Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's cause of death is related to his service-connected disabilities, but there are questions about whether these conditions existed before or during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, sleep apnea, a toenail fungus, GERD with constipation, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (anterior crural nerve), and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities. The Veteran's claims for service connection were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is remanded for additional development to obtain private medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C residuals, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was less likely related to his military service due to other known risk factors such as being born between 1945 and 1965.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including bilateral knees, left wrist, low back, pinched nerves of upper extremities/neck, and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will conduct further examinations and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to unclear diagnoses and lack of opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, his claim for prostate cancer remains denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Prostate cancer was not found based on the lack of a current diagnosis in the medical records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to September 17, 2015 due to daily fatigue and malaise with hepatomegaly. From September 18, 2015 forward, the Veteran's condition is rated at 10 percent as his hepatitis C is in remission.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hepatic cirrhosis are granted with separate ratings, while the cellulitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver disease and cirrhosis, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, respiratory disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim requires obtaining updated treatment records, including VA records. For his anxiety disorder, a new VA psychiatric examination is needed due to the significant time since his last evaluation.