Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and for a bilateral lower extremity disability as secondary to Hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for hepatitis C was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring service connection for cirrhosis of the liver secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for chronic liver disease and hepatitis C, but granted service connection for autoimmune hepatitis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a restoration of the 40 percent rating.,Ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have been granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the earliest communication from the Veteran that can be construed as a petition to reopen the previously denied claim was not received until March 27, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 19, 2013 for the award of service connection for liver transplant due to hepatitis C was dismissed because he died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding its severity prior to February 17, 2007. The SMC claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hepatitis C claim.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and related conditions are currently rated at 80 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for Hepatitis C are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board requests additional retrospective opinions from VA clinicians to address the Veteran's symptoms, range of motion, and etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his schizophrenia substantially contributed to his death caused by a life of illegal drug abuse and subsequent Hepatitis C. The issue of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, IBS, and a hiatal hernia are all denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied with an initial compensable rating. Service connection for PTSD is also denied as the claimant does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of enlistment in the United States Navy. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded to obtain a supplemental VA opinion.

The Board has decided that the claims for hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorders need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information from a previous VA examination regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its impact on his employability during the specified period. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Hepatitis C, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as the evidence did not support an in-service exposure and multiple other risk factors were present both before and after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the hepatitis C claim, and his PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), low back condition, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder, and cirrhosis of the liver claims were all denied due to lack of a causal relationship between service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. Another opinion is needed from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and gallbladder removal, finding that further development is needed to address the etiology of his conditions.