Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were initially denied due to his service-connected disabilities not constituting an employment handicap. However, a significant change in his disability picture has occurred since the initial denial, including new service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension. The Board now requires a functional capacity evaluation to determine if he currently suffers from an employment handicap.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cancer and hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claim of service connection, as both conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 24, 2014 for the award of non-service connected pension benefits due to a credible assertion by the Veteran that he initiated a claim on this date. The part of the August 2018 decision denying entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to November 17, 2015 is vacated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, pleural disease, and hepatitis C due to insufficient information regarding asbestos exposure and other factors.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C, as it impacts his employability.

The Veteran's liver disability, including hepatitis C, was not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to April 5, 2013. From that date onwards, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, request SSA disability benefits information, provide a VCAA notice letter regarding secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and obtain addendum opinions from VA clinicians.

The Veteran's hepatitis C disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, and her TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet (claimed as ankle condition) has been reopened and granted. The claims for hypertension, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, and sarcoidosis have all been denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C in 2008, and new evidence received since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as there is no evidence of hepatitis C or liver disease during his active duty. The Board found the appellant's statements insufficient to establish a relationship between the cause of death and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, pes planus, and Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not show daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, with minor weight loss or hepatomegaly. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular threshold for TDIU.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for hepatitis C. The claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, dysthymia, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and initial rating increases for Parkinson's disease, as well as TDIU. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.