Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. However, the Board found that his PTSD, a service-connected condition, may have contributed to his liver disease and thus caused or materially contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service hospitalization and his current diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board concluded that the most credible evidence indicates that the Veteran's hepatitis C was likely due to intranasal drug use post-service.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be obtained and an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the relationship between obesity, service-connected disabilities, and the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

Service connection granted for hepatitis C and right ear hearing loss.,The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his military service exposure to loud noise. Service connection was granted for this condition.,The Veteran's esophageal disability, including Barrett’s esophagus, may be related to his service at Camp Lejeune and contaminated water exposure. The examiner should determine if the esophageal disorder is as likely as not related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection was denied for a bilateral eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, liver cancer, liver transplant, a skin disorder, cause of death, and burial benefits due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions (heart failure, chronic hypertension, drug addiction, hepatitis C, and COPD) to his military service.,For nonservice-connected death pension benefits from January 1, 2010 to February 1, 2012, the Board denied the claim due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).,The Board also denied nonservice-connected death pension benefits for the period from January 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009 because of discrepancies in the calculation of the Veteran's last expenses and the Appellant's income.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether unsterile instruments were used during a colonoscopy at the Dallas VA Medical Center in May 2004, which caused him to contract hepatitis C.

Service connection granted for hearing loss as secondary to hepatitis C. A 100% rating is granted from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2019, for CFS. Prior to and after this period, a rating in excess of 60% is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being reviewed again to determine if it was caused by his military service.

The VA denied a higher rating for hepatitis C and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the appellant's symptoms did not meet criteria for increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis C, residuals of a laparoscopic hernia repair (secondary to hepatitis C), PTSD (secondary to hepatitis C), and liver cancer (secondary to hepatitis C) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C began during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hepatitis C and a tattoo obtained during active duty training (ACDUTRA) in July 1979.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision also notes that the claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of in-service risk factors for Hepatitis C, including a blood transfusion and exposure to hepatitis-infected patients.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for hepatitis C as additional development is needed, including obtaining the appellant's VA treatment records from March 2013 to October 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and hypertension due to incomplete development, including a need for new VA examinations or opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the Board requires additional information from medical experts regarding specific aspects of his claims.