Hepatitis C decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for rating higher than 10 percent for hepatitis C and entitlement to TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding weight loss from February 2010 to April 2010.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective June 25, 2020.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been granted from December 3, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder and chronic liver disease (hepatitis C) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service, including exposure to asbestos or hepatitis C.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has accepted the August 2018 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) as timely and has remanded both issues for further development. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is remanded to obtain a supplemental medical opinion, while his right knee condition claim is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and its residuals were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, and thus remands the case to obtain relevant SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for liver disability (including hepatitis C), diabetes mellitus, type II, and pancreatitis. The back disability is related to an in-service injury, while the liver disability, including hepatitis C, was not related to service. Diabetes mellitus, type II, and pancreatitis are also not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for depression as secondary to hepatitis C due to insufficient development and lack of an adequate opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to adenocarcinoma, which the VA examiner opined was less likely than not caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service.,The Appellant is also denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, laparoscopic hernia repair, PTSD, and liver cancer as secondary to hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to the service-connected anxiety disorder. The lumbar spine and right hip disorders are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms. Service connection for chronic hepatitis C is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, left knee disability, and bilateral flat feet due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to compensation for hepatitis C under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate opinions in the past, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for urethritis, but the Board finds that he does not have any current symptoms of voiding dysfunction related to his service-connected urethritis. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed and may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was previously gainfully employed prior to February 1, 2019, and is therefore not entitled to a TDIU for that period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C, including in-service treatment for a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.

The Board has reopened the claims for hepatitis C and eczema, but both issues are remanded for further development.

A rating of 20 percent for hepatitis C is granted from December 8, 2008 to March 1, 2012. A rating more than 60 percent for hepatitis C is denied effective March 2, 2012.,TDIU is granted effective April 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Hodgkin's disease and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.