Hepatitis C decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hepatitis C render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 21, 2010, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran does not have an additional disability of gastrointestinal ailments, including hepatitis C, as a result of VA treatment from 1972 to 1975. The Board finds that the evidence persuasively weighs against granting the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations and finds it highly likely he did not receive them. The claims are being remanded to attempt to obtain updated contact information for the Veteran so he can be notified of these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (claimed as liver cancer), finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, ischemic heart disease as a result of herbicide exposure, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The ischemic heart disease claim will also be remanded with similar considerations. The PTSD evaluation claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and allergies. The claims for bowel condition, gastrointestinal condition, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, and skin disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection for a neurologic disability associated with his back disability, as well as effective dates for various grants of benefits, have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hepatitis C and an earlier effective date for the 20 percent rating are being remanded. The claim for individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's history of drug and alcohol use, as well as new evidence regarding his hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. The VA examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, liver disorder (to include hepatitis C), and boutonniere deformity secondary to residuals of finger laceration repair. The Veteran's failure to cooperate with VA examinations prevented a determination on these claims.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, a left knee disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis B, C, and chronic liver damage. The examiner must consider the transmissibility and symptomatology of both hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as the Veteran's pre-service risk factors (tattoos and unsafe sexual activity) and post-service risk factors (intranasal and intravenous drug use).

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral nerve damage, respiratory condition (claimed as blood clots in the lungs), and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the cases of service connection for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no causal relationship between his in-service air gun immunizations and his post-service diagnosis of hepatitis C. The Board noted multiple post-service risk factors for hepatitis C, including intranasal cocaine use and multiple sexual partners.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hepatitis C, paranoia, and insomnia due to the Veteran's incarceration. The VA needs to arrange for an examination or telehealth interview with correctional facility medical providers.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 20 percent prior to April 17, 2014, and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from August 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, sickle cell anemia, bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, flat feet, acquired psychiatric disability, insomnia, heart disability, hepatitis C, and kidney disability is granted with effective dates ranging from November 25, 2013 to the date of grant. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.