Hepatitis C decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatitis C as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision is based on a theory that obesity, which developed due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, was an intermediary step in causing these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 4, 2017. The Board found the evidence against a finding that his service-connected conditions prevented him from working.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Service connection for hemochromatosis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's in-service risk factors likely resulted in the disease. ,Service connection was also granted for GERD, with the Board noting that while there is no contemporaneous medical evidence of symptoms, the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements support a diagnosis of GERD during his first period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, temporary total evaluation because of treatment requiring convalescence, and temporary total evaluation for hospitalization over 21 days due to Hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of Hepatitis C or indicate that it was related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, colonic polyps, hepatitis C, and hypertension are not resolved in his favor. The cases have been REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism due to herbicide agent exposure. The remaining issues of service connection for hepatitis C, upper gastrointestinal disorder, and gallstones are remanded.

Service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The effective date for a 10% rating for Hepatitis C is set at February 26, 2010.

The Veteran asserts he should receive a compensable rating for hepatitis C from the effective date of service connection, February 2012, to April 2016. The Board has determined that a retrospective VA opinion is needed to determine relevant symptoms during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer has been fully granted. The appeal for hepatitis (B or C variant) is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C or any residuals, and therefore denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claims for enlarged prostate gland and disabilities due to high cholesterol are remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for DIC due to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the only basis for a grant was the liberalizing law allowing presumptive service connection for liver cancer and hepatitis C related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support direct or secondary service connection prior to March 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and insomnia), a heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hemorrhoids have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C and the other conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for hepatitis C and granted it, finding that the Veteran's chronic viral hepatitis B and C is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's military service and his condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's in-service IV drug use constitutes willful misconduct.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to internal inconsistencies and insufficient opinions in previous examinations. The claims include respiratory disorders, diabetes mellitus type II, and a liver disorder.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C as there is no evidence that the condition manifested during or was caused by military service.