Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that it did not originate during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is requested to undergo VA examinations for hepatitis C, cervical spine disability, lower back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C and whether his reported hepatitis A diagnosis was related to his subsequently diagnosed hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's stage II-IV cirrhosis with hepatitis C is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active service. The appeal for DIC benefits based on the cause of death is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with fibrosis of the liver and COPD and asthma, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service. The Board noted multiple in-service risk factors including drug use but also post-service risk factors such as incarceration and continued drug use.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for hepatitis C service connection. Tinnitus service connection is granted, but the hearing loss claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, right hip condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and right foot condition due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are reopened but further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, liver disease, gallbladder condition, and stomach disorder. The VA examinations conducted in August 2020 were not sufficient as they did not consider the Veteran’s reported in-service risk factors.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to initial, increased, and TDIU ratings for Hepatitis C due to the Veteran's timely opt-in into the Appeals Modernization Act review system.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and headaches due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied compensation benefits for hepatitis C due to a blood transfusion at a VA medical facility in 1979 or 1980, finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on part of VA physicians.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that it is not related to his in-service duties or any other risk factors. The decision also noted that the Veteran's substance abuse disorder, which he claimed was due to PTSD, did not cause or aggravate his Hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C disorder was not diagnosed until after service and is more likely due to post-service drug use, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his military service, including in-service immunizations from jet injectors and shared razors. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and reconsideration of service connection claims, including a gynecological disorder (cervical dysplasia), an upper respiratory condition (COPD), a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, NOS), and a liver disorder (hepatitis C).

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.