Hepatitis C decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective January 16, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection. Claims for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, right foot hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear statements in an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's Hepatitis C. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, and the Board requires clarification on whether it was caused by his in-service tattoo or incidents related to STDs.

The Veteran's service connection claims for alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral callus, clavi, renal cell carcinoma, liver condition, and hepatitis C have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service for any of these conditions.,For pseudofolliculitis barbae, the Veteran's current condition has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C, as secondary to PTSD, due to insufficient reasoning in previous opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and hepatitis C to include liver disease as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death (hepatitis C) and related conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was also denied for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and thrombocytopenia, as the medical opinions found no causal relationship with service.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with prior remands and additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or caused by his honorable period of service.,Service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability are all denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that these conditions began during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of hepatitis C in service and that it is not due to or secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to unresolved issues regarding his hepatitis C and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding when and how the Veteran may have contracted hepatitis C, which led to his liver failure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to be service-connected, as the evidence did not show that it occurred in or was caused by his active duty service.,Service connection for left and right thumb disorders were denied because there was no established diagnosis of these conditions during service or at any time thereafter. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, colon polyps, digestive system disorder (including hernia), and hepatitis C. The claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are dismissed as moot due to prior grant of benefits.,The Veteran's claims for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 for various conditions remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance from April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's asthma has not resulted in the required symptoms for a compensable rating.,His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.,There is no evidence of hepatitis C or any related condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI. The Veteran's psychiatric disability remains the focus of his appeal, with hepatitis C secondary to that disability also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology during service.