Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service and noting that he engaged in IV drug use during service which precludes him from receiving VA benefits for a disability resulting from willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol/drugs.

The Board denied service connection and compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, finding that the current diagnosis is not related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relation to service.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide adequate rationale for their opinion.,The Veteran's kidney disability, related to hepatitis C, is remanded due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous opinion.,The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not address whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The effective date for a 10 percent evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination results.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective September 29, 2003. He is also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the R-1 or R-2 level is remanded due to outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records. The AOJ should obtain these records and conduct further development as needed.

Service connection for headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C.,The claims for cholecystectomy residuals and a colon disorder other than IBS are denied as there is no evidence of any such condition during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and his in-service exposure. The VA must provide a new clarifying VA medical opinion addressing all evidence of record, including the Veteran’s contentions.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not due to a service-connected disability and that medications taken for his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his liver disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C, loss of balance, chest numbness, right and left upper extremity disability, sleep apnea, COPD, sinusitis, ventral hernia, and a higher rating for the chest surgical scar.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted service connection. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, portal hypertension, splenomegaly and a gallbladder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea versicolor due to a lack of new and relevant evidence in his February 2019 supplemental claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions or any other potential causes. The appellant must provide information about medical records that may support her claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between hepatitis C and service, including consideration of delayed manifestations and potential exposure in Spain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, hepatitis C, and migraines due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's condition is more likely related to a blood transfusion in the 1970s than to his military service.