Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA medical opinion, and a new addendum is required from the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the decision is on hold.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a hepatic disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hepatitis C, which he claims was caused by a blood transfusion during knee surgery in service. The VA examiner found the risk factor to be transfusion injection and concluded that it is less likely than not related to his knee surgery. A supplemental opinion is needed regarding whether the air gun injections are a potential source of hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not manifest in service and is not related to his service. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied. The initial disability rating for PTSD prior to September 10, 2014, was granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the denial to reopen the claim for service connection for right leg numbness as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection was denied for Hepatitis C and cellulitis in the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability, to include Hepatitis C, is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his diagnosis of hepatic steatosis and further medical opinion on the relationship between any liver disabilities other than Hepatitis C and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's renal dysfunction, hepatitis C and bilateral leg disorder other than varicose veins are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for both conditions. The Veteran withdrew these appeals during a June 2014 hearing.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of an earlier claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to the current effective date of June 20, 2011. Therefore, the earliest possible effective date for service connection of tinnitus is June 20, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during service and is not etiologically related to any incident of active duty service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C may be related to his service, but additional evidence is needed to clarify this issue. The VA will need to obtain records from Yale Community Hospital and other relevant treatment providers for a definitive opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma as secondary to hepatitis C, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C, thus denying the appeal.

The Veteran's left hand disability was not incurred during service and is not related to his active service. The Veteran's hepatitis C has resulted in intermittent fatigue, malaise, or anorexia for at least one week but less than two weeks over the past year, warranting a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to a lack of sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim, and remands the case for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of frostbite to the face and gums, a dental disorder (teeth number 18 and 19 extracted), an inguinal hernia, Hepatitis C, a gastrointestinal disorder claimed as acid reflux, or intestinal polyps due to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and Hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence. Service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.