Hepatitis C decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, as well as the issue of a TDIU prior to December 8, 2021. The AOJ is instructed to readjudicate these matters.

The Board has decided that both the claims for hepatitis C virus and cirrhosis of the liver need further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service. The Veteran's medical records do not show any diagnosis of hepatitis C during or after his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis and hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Further development is needed before these claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, including hepatitis C, as there is no evidence of such condition during or near the appeal period.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and TDIU have been reopened. The claim for hepatitis C has been granted, and the claim for TDIU is granted with a combined rating of 60 percent from January 20, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder as a result of VA treatment, a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and a low back disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), with alcohol and drug abuse disorder.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for his left foot condition, which equates to a severe foot injury with pain and limited range of motion, is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not show it was present during active duty or related to service. The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the competency of a VA examiner who provided an opinion on hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The Veteran requested information regarding this examiner's qualifications, which needs to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions and a need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and an addendum opinion on the etiology of hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was related to an in-service viral infection and whether his alcohol abuse was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied a restoration of a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C and an increased rating, finding that the Veteran no longer had serologic evidence of hepatitis C infection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic and not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, specifically in-service immunizations via air gun injectors. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B. The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, concluding there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Veteran had hepatitis C diagnosed in 2001 and his VA examiner concluded it was not related to his service-connected hepatitis B. However, he did find that the Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for hepatitis C due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's contention that he was exposed to hepatitis C through air gun inoculations during service. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is granted. The ratings for his knee and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted, with some periods of time having temporary increased ratings.

The appeal for hepatitis C (claimed as a liver condition) is dismissed. The case is remanded for an evaluation of tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for hepatitis C, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction has been granted.