Hepatitis C decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hepatitis C was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year from the date of the July 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the submission of additional issues not addressed in previous AOJ decisions. The TERA exposure and development is also required.

The Veteran's PTSD and DMII ratings remain at 50% and 10%, respectively, with the case being remanded for further examination regarding hepatitis C. Service connection for hepatitis C is also pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Secondary service connection is also granted for joint aches, chronic fatigue condition (including dizziness), and chronic abdominal pain as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an error in characterizing the Veteran's discharge, and these claims are now subject to further review.

The Board finds that the Veteran's June 2017 VA Form 9 substantive appeal was timely filed, and as a result, the underlying claims under the legacy system must be reinstated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory conditions (including sinusitis) are related to service. However, his bilateral hearing loss and flash burn with chronic watery and corneal scarring (eye condition) require further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating reduction for Hepatitis C has been dismissed due to their death.

Service connection for Hepatitis C is granted.,Service connection for Prostate Cancer and residuals thereof as due to Camp Lejeune exposure is denied. Service connection for Erectile Dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer is also denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded, and service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except tinnitus have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.,The Veteran was also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hepatitis C is denied. The claims of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C was reopened and granted. The claims for left knee osteophytosis and right total knee replacement were denied.,The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis) and left lower extremity neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of his service connection claims. The Board will consider all pending service connection claims before deciding on the TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it was caused by hazardous noise exposure in service.,Service connection for hepatitis C with liver cirrhosis is denied because there is no evidence of onset or causation during service and the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis prior to separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C may be related to service, specifically air gun injections during military service. However, a VA examination is needed to provide an opinion on this relationship.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for service-connected Hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for a VA examination at an appropriate facility, given his incarceration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, dermatitis, hallux valgus of the left foot, pes planus of the left foot, and epididymitis due to a failure to provide notice of hearing rights before issuing the initial decision in October 2019.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee disability was previously rated at 30 percent, but the Board now finds that an updated VA examination is necessary to determine if a higher rating is warranted.