Hepatitis C decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver associated with hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's death during the appeal process made the case moot, but his wife was granted substitution as the claimant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2021. The claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding who is the proper appellant in this appeal, as well as obtaining authorizations to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of hepatitis C, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service activities and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further medical evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The hearing testimony provided during his April 2019 Board hearing is considered new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hepatitis C has been dismissed due to their passing away. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they are no longer alive.

The appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeals for increased rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for low back disorder, knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver damage, B-cell lymphoma cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

Right ear hearing loss has been granted service connection.,A compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied.,A 10 percent rating for hepatitis C from July 1, 2000 to May 3, 2022 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C after May 3, 2022 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Hepatitis B and C due to insufficient information in the previous VA medical opinion. The claim will be further developed.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for further examination and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his Hepatitis C (HCV). The Board will consider whether service connection should be granted based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and treatment records for hepatitis C, and the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by her service-connected conditions, including hepatitis C. The VA will obtain relevant private treatment records and provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's hepatitis C and liver hemangioma prior to his death. The VA will secure additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and lumbar spine strain due to additional VA treatment records not being considered in the previous readjudication.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have been granted service connection with effective dates of June 27, 2013. Effective date for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has not been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, type 2, squamous cell carcinoma of the right finger, colon cancer, and hepatitis C are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examination.