Hepatitis C decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three conditions (Hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine condition, and pancreatitis) has been dismissed due to his death. No eligible party has requested to continue the appeal as a substitute claimant.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding Hepatitis C, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and cause of death due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's hepatitis C is being reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining claims over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction.,Claims for left hip replacement and hepatitis C have been reopened, while hypertension remains denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver is determined to be a residual of hepatitis C that began during active service, granting service connection for residuals of hepatitis C.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.,An initial 10 percent disability rating, but no higher, for service-connected hepatitis C is granted prior to December 13, 2021. A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hepatitis C from December 13, 2021, forward is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to newly added VA treatment records that were not previously considered, and the Veteran requested a waiver for review of these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with contested claims procedures, including providing S.E. and her representative with the contents of the February 2020 VA Form 9, informing them of their representation rights, and sending a copy of the December 2020 SSOC.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 7, 2020, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.,Service connection for Hepatitis C was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, liver disease as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, neuropathy left foot/leg as secondary to chronic hepatitis C, and neuropathy right foot/leg as secondary to chronic hepatitis C. A 10% evaluation is assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding the severity of the service-connected hepatitis C and whether cirrhosis is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% evaluation of hepatitis C is dismissed because the appellant passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and its relation to his service. The Veteran needs a new medical examination to determine if his hepatitis C is related to his time in active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C prior to July 15, 2020 is dismissed. The case is remanded for a determination on the increased rating claim for plantar keratoderma.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C as the evidence does not show a relationship between current hepatitis C and active service, including no in-service risk factors or uninterrupted symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C for treatment purposes only, resolving doubt in favor of the appellant due to his testimony and medical records indicating a possible link between vaccination by inoculation gun during service and his current condition.

The Board dismissed the issue of P.G.'s eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in a June 2017 rating decision for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was caused by his own willful misconduct involving illegal intravenous drug use during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added after the February 2020 SOC, and the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is still pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for sinusitis. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and kidney stones are remanded for further evaluation.