Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C as the Veteran is asymptomatic and there are no signs or symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for a liver condition to determine if there is evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hepatitis C was incurred in or related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that the risk factors for hepatitis C, such as intravenous drug use and unprotected sex, are more likely causes of the condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuous presence since active duty.,Service connection for chloracne and renal dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that age is more likely contributing factor.,Service connection for hepatitis C (due to herbicide agent exposure) is denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it is not a presumed condition of exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. G.P.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was reopened and granted service connection. The gastrointestinal disability (diverticulosis) claim was denied, while the right shoulder disability claim was also denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is established, but claims for gastrointestinal disability and right shoulder disability were not supported by evidence.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for hepatitis C and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's chronic urticaria and hepatitis C residuals are currently rated at 10% each. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition, with the exception of the hepatitis C residuals which need further evaluation due to lack of objective evidence of worsening.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining if there is a connection between the Veteran's service and his chest pain or Hepatitis C. The cause of death claim remains pending.

The Veteran's heart disability and seizure disorder are granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for varicose veins, bilateral foot disability, and hepatitis C due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's treatment at Fort Riley is suspected but not confirmed in the current record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death and a need for additional private treatment records and a hepatitis C risk factors questionnaire.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion to address the likelihood of hepatitis C infection due to various risk factors and its relation to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, and a supplemental opinion is required from an appropriate VA clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been granted, with tinnitus presumed to have been incurred in service and the other conditions having their service connections established on a presumptive basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it began during service and is aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues for increased ratings for bipolar disorder, bilateral oophorectomy, Hepatitis C, and psoriasis. The Board has determined that these matters are remanded to obtain outstanding private treatment records from Dr. F.S., Dr. K.H., and the Veteran’s private primary care provider.