Hepatitis C decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder has not been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD with anxiety and insomnia (acquired psychiatric disorder), bilateral metatarsalgia (foot disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is also remanded.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), and hypertension is denied. The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of liver are remanded for further development.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension is denied. Service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of liver (secondary to hepatitis C) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hepatitis C as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Appellant testified that the Veteran’s PTSD caused his panic attacks which in turn aggravated his COPD and emphysema.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and providing the Veteran with necessary information. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C is still pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and a higher rating for his right knee arthritis were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the separate rating of right knee instability was granted, but the case is now remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right hand disorders, left hand disorders, left foot disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for dizzy spells is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of neck port placement during treatment for cancer, to include hepatitis C, is denied as the evidence does not show that his pain and hepatitis C were caused by improper care from VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service, specifically air gun injections during boot camp.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for infectious hepatitis and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as well as the claim for an extraschedular TDIU prior to December 5, 2012. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing all contentions regarding exposure to hepatitis C.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD, hepatitis C, back disability, and bilateral foot disability are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions. His TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his PTSD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, requiring additional development and adjudication of the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected digestive disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and initial ratings for disabilities, including fluoroquinolone toxicity, fibromyalgia, drug and alcohol dependency, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, and a low back disability. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C as there is no current disability.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a causal link between the May 2004 colonoscopy at the Dallas VAMC and the Veteran's hepatitis C.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD-associated IV drug use dependence, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding denial of service connection for liver cancer, reduction of disability ratings for cirrhosis status post ascities, hepatic encephalopathy and splenomegaly, reduction of disability rating for hepatitis C, and discontinuation of SMC due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis C have been granted service connection.,For the temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 based on hospitalization for complications from service-connected hepatitis C, additional evidence is needed.