Hepatitis C decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, and coronary artery disease due to insufficient information in the service treatment records regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and cirrhosis did not manifest signs or symptoms that more nearly approximated a compensable rating prior to January 9, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by service, including herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of hepatitis C or cirrhosis as being related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a 40 percent rating. The case is remanded for further development to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for his hepatitis C disability ratings. The Board finds that the issues are not factually ascertainable and remands for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is granted, and the Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion on whether his hepatitis C was incurred during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition other than Hepatitis C and for Hepatitis C, finding that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that the condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression. The Veteran's hepatitis C is linked to in-service air gun immunizations and sexual contacts. His depression is linked to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded both claims for neck and scalp cysts, as well as hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a statement of the case (SOC), and an appropriate VA examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, paranoia, and insomnia due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits as he did not serve in active duty for at least 90 days during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his right knee disability, service connection for hepatitis C and kidney disability (secondary to hepatitis C). The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an earlier effective date than June 29, 2010. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to service or any risk factors therein.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a liver condition other than cancer, to include residuals of Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected liver disease is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to MST, but the claims for hepatitis C, OSA, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but the rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.