Hepatitis C decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is likely related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C due to new and material evidence. The issues of secondary service connection for heart and bone disabilities, neck disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's HIV/AIDS has been granted service connection, and he is now rated at the 60 percent level for his hepatitis C.,Service connection was established for HIV/AIDS due to exposure in service. The Veteran’s hepatitis C is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since July 13, 2016. The symptoms include abdominal pain, weakness, and malaise.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, hepatitis C, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and erectile dysfunction due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his bilateral eye disability and remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and asbestosis for additional development. The Veteran's service records indicate he was treated for hepatitis during service, which may have led to his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Hepatitis C have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding in-service stressors and potential service connection.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including prostate cancer, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, valvular heart disease, asthma, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether hepatitis C contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that hepatitis C was related to service and accelerated the Veteran's death.

VA has received new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, Hepatitis C, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (unspecified depressive disorder and delusional disorder), glaucoma, pancreatic disorder, and diverticulitis. Service connection is granted for the latter four conditions.,VA has denied service connection for hypertension, glaucoma, and pancreatic disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hepatitis C disability rating should be increased, but remanded for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and an inadequate June 2020 VA opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hepatitis C, status post liver transplant and for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations are inadequate, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's symptoms. The issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the issues on appeal.