Hepatitis C decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, GERD, diabetes mellitus II, gastrointestinal disorder, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and esophageal varices.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic hepatitis C infection, is service-connected. The appeal for accrued benefits was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II including as secondary to herbicide exposure. The hepatitis C and hypertension claims are remanded due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests.

The Veteran's hepatitis C symptoms were manifested by daily fatigue and malaise, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 20 percent rating was granted from July 28, 2010 to September 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and chronic kidney disease secondary to now service-connected hepatitis C.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, liver disability (claimed as hepatitis C), AAA, and impaired glucose tolerance due to in-service tattoo exposure and VA treatment records from prior to the mid-1990s.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C, hypertension, and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records that have not been considered yet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Hepatitis C, OSA, and back conditions, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum to address the Veteran's hepatitis C claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis B and duodenal ulcer, as well as service connection for hepatitis C due to insufficient development.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the condition did not manifest during service and is etiologically unrelated to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a general practice Nurse Practitioner.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for his bilateral degenerative joint disease of the feet and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2006 to November 26, 2007. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is etiologically related to his active service and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected liver cancer, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as a medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of liver transplant is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and cirrhosis of the liver (claimed as secondary to hepatitis C) are granted. The claims for service connection of tinnitus and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for hepatitis C as there is evidence of a currently diagnosed condition and possible in-service exposure, but no VA examination was conducted. The case will be returned to the AOJ with instructions to obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for chronic liver disease and chronic fatigue syndrome due to incomplete development and lack of a reasoned medical explanation regarding aggravation.