Hepatitis C Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his gunshot wound/shrapnel to low back, with Hepatitis C and abdominal exploration and sub-total gastrectomy was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, hepatitis C, and pulmonary emboli. The issues are related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to ongoing Nehmer development impacting the Veteran's hepatitis C treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma, which is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or service-connected PTSD. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and hypertension are caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities, specifically her TBI.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the previous opinion was not responsive to the remand requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and Liver Damage due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence and an expert opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to June 1, 2017 and the rating in excess of 40 percent for hepatitis C since June 1, 2017 are denied. A 10 percent rating for cirrhosis since January 21, 2020 is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during service. The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that there was no evidence linking it to in-service events or conditions.,The case regarding left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to hepatitis C and for hepatitis C itself, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding the onset of his condition during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left calf laceration residuals with posterior tibial nerve impairment are granted a 30 percent rating. Service connection for hepatitis C and vasculitis is denied, but the Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, sarcoidosis, and diabetes mellitus due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 31, 2006. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2006 for further review.

The Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension is granted with an effective date of October 28, 2013 to January 21, 2021. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance use disorder may have caused or aggravated his hepatitis C, and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate previous opinions and procedural issues. The main issue is whether hepatitis C was incurred in service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, type II to include as secondary to herbicide exposure due to incomplete development and failure of the Veteran to respond to VA notices.