Hepatitis C decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, chronic kidney disease, liver condition (claimed as cirrhosis and liver cancer), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder and depression) due to insufficient evidence addressing service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C due to unclear records regarding his confinement in service, lack of verification of a reported stressor event, and need for further development related to these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date requests were also denied as they did not meet legal requirements.

The Veteran's death was due to hepatitis C, liver cancer, and diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection are pending as the appellant is not eligible to substitute on these claims yet.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new VA treatment records, and the cases are being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to its inextricability with the assignment of a rating for cirrhosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been received. The claim is now reopened. Service connection for neurobehavioral effects due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the issues of glaucoma, right shoulder disability, sciatic neuropathy in the left lower extremity (LLE), and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to blood and bodily fluids as a medical specialist is related to his current condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for heart disease, status post ICD placement as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and onychomycosis. The appeals for hepatitis C, obstructive sleep apnea, and emphysema (now claimed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for hepatitis C, specifically related to potential exposure through air gun inoculations, hand cuts, and shared razors during boot camp.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claim of service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to its inextricability with the hepatitis C claim. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The case is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for his hepatitis C, TMJ, diabetes mellitus, right hip disability, left leg disability, broken teeth, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, deviated septum, left ear disability, right ear disability, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and TDIU. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine their etiology.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The requests to reopen prior final denials of service connection for hepatitis C and a nervous condition (anxiety reaction) are also granted. However, the issues related to left shoulder disability, left hand condition, and hepatitis C require further development.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not attributable to an in-service episode of hepatitis or jet gun inoculations. The evidence does not support a link between his service and his current hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; hepatitis C; dizziness; hypersensitivity to light and noise; diarrhea; fainting disability; sinus disability; bronchitis; GERD; headache disability; hypertension; chronic fatigue syndrome; sleep apnea; erectile dysfunction; chest pain disability; and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded for the following: obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and completing a TDIU application form; providing adequate VA examinations for sinus, respiratory, GERD, headache, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and chest pain disabilities; and providing an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and liver disability (including cirrhosis and Hepatitis C) due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.