The Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resulting in a grant of service connection.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being caused by a service-connected disability. Service connection was granted based on aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma resulting from hepatitis C, is recognized as service-connected.,An increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to its severity and impact on employment.,TDIU is granted based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran’s hepatitis C was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.,There is no direct evidence linking diabetes mellitus, type II to active duty service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused or incurred during service.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was found to be aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, meeting the criteria for secondary service connection.,Hepatocellular carcinoma resulting from hepatitis C is considered a direct result of active duty service and therefore service connected.,The severity of the Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warranted an increased rating greater than 20 percent.,The Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities met the criteria for TDIU.

Claimed conditions

hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine

How they argued it

Aggravation of a pre-existing condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

December 10, 2019

Citation

19192383

This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19192383.