Hepatitis C decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further clarification regarding the Veteran's hepatitis B and C diagnoses, as well as service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, spinal disorders, knee and foot disabilities, hepatitis C, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and shoulder and elbow conditions. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were incurred during his active duty service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and hepatic steatosis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C. The Veteran is not considered to have shared needles, and his IV drug use history is a risk factor for hepatitis C.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C and liver damage, as secondary to hepatitis C. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that the AOJ failed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and whether his character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and has ordered remand.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative submitted additional medical literature, and further development is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he had been exposed to and developed hepatitis C during or shortly after service.

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

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions obtained for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, Hepatitis C, GERD, and Erectile Dysfunction are inadequate. The claims are being remanded to obtain new examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including splenomegaly with thrombocytopenia, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C, rendered him unemployable as of September 30, 2015. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gallbladder disability was denied. His Hepatitis C received an initial 10 percent rating, and his liver disability was denied any increase in the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, asthma, and rosacea have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection has been granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and a joint disease disability, as well as the TDIU, NSC pension benefits prior to March 19, 2021, and SMP matters due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions. The Veteran's hepatitis C diagnosis is being reviewed again, along with his claimed joint pains.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connection due to a current diagnosis and the Board finding it was incurred in service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support its relationship to service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to service-connected conditions. The Board found that it was likely due to medication use rather than service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there are no records showing an in-service injury, and the current condition does not have a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that his current diagnosis is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated examinations and additional records, including VA and private treatment records. The claims include cervical arthritis, lumbar arthritis, hepatitis C, type II diabetes mellitus (DM), a left neck scar, and SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his active duty service and his condition.