Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including SSA records and VA examination results.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, heart disorder, and shrapnel wound of the abdomen were denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications from hernia surgery was also denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was rated at 60 percent effective January 30, 2012. The rating is based on daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia with hepatomegaly and weight loss.

The case is remanded for the following actions: 1) Obtain all pertinent records; 2) Provide an addendum from the March 2011 VA examiner regarding the Veteran's contention that the severity of his disorder at the time of initial diagnosis indicates it began during service, and consider the article submitted by the Veteran in June 2012. The claims for hepatitis C, liver disorders, micronutrient deficiency, osteoporosis, and ascites are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and anemia were not incurred in or related to his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for type 2 diabetes and service connection for hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including obtaining SSA records, private treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of chloracne, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, a skin disorder (including a rash and benign tumors of the face and back), or a right knee disorder during his military service. The exposure basis was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right ankle scars, capsulitis of the right ankle, low back strain and hepatitis C, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.

The Board has decided the case needs further examination and review, including a new opinion on hepatitis C service connection. The right ankle disorder issue is held in abeyance until the hepatitis C issue is resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his history of substance use and/or abuse.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim, but further development is needed before a decision can be made on whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorder are all pending.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, stomach bleeding, fatigue, hepatic encephalopathy, and esophageal varices are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection. The case is REMANDED to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of each condition.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C and alcohol abuse, as well as their relationship to his service-connected PTSD. The appellant will also be provided an opportunity to identify any healthcare providers who treated her husband for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of consideration of relevant medical evidence and an incomplete VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder, right tibia disorder, and hepatitis C. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and service connection for PTSD, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.