Hepatitis C decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of Hepatitis C, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C is granted. On de novo review, service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hepatitis C. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran contracted hepatitis C during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol and hepatitis C was granted. The cases of digestive problems, stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver with weight loss (related to hepatitis C), heart disease, hypertension, fatigue, renal complications, and chronic depression are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, a low back disability, and hepatitis C are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis B or C, chronic liver disease without cirrhosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support his contention that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his substance abuse issues, leading to intravenous drug use and hepatitis C. Hepatitis C was a contributory cause of the Veteran’s death. DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been reopened, and he is now entitled to these conditions. His PTSD remains at a 70% rating due to its severity, but TDIU has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU from July 23, 2009 to August 10, 2012 and from August 10, 2012 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran retained the ability to work during these periods despite some limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Hepatitis C, which may have been incurred during an in-service hospitalization at Camp Lejeune, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a potential new evidence review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and hepatitis C due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has granted service connection for liver conditions, including hepatitis C, and the cause of death due to hepatic failure and hepatocellular cancer. The decision is based on evidence that the Veteran's exposure to blood and bodily fluids during his military service in Vietnam was a likely cause of his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B; cholesterol disorder; kidney disorder; and thyroid disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the inability to schedule VA examinations. The issues of skin disorder of the feet, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 21, 2009. The Veteran's Hepatitis C remains at a 20 percent rating.