Hepatitis C decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his right knee disability, service connection for hepatitis C and kidney disability (secondary to hepatitis C). The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an earlier effective date than June 29, 2010. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to service or any risk factors therein.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a liver condition other than cancer, to include residuals of Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected liver disease is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), but remanded the claims for hepatitis C, OSA, and hypertension.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are granted. The case is remanded for further evaluation of PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the nature of the Veteran's service in the Army Reserve from July 1975 to May 1976, and to obtain medical opinions concerning the etiology of his GERD, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hepatitis C. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for hepatitis C and the TDIU claim due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's weight loss between February 2010 and April 2010 is a key factor in determining his current disability level.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's alcohol and/or drug abuse as self-medication for his service-connected psychological disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer, finding that the Veteran's conditions were caused by his military service. The cause of death due to liver cancer is also granted.

The Board has granted DIC benefits based on the Veteran's hepatitis C, which was related to his active-duty service. The issue of entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a liver disability, to include cirrhosis, as secondary to claimed hepatitis C for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for Hepatitis C and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions were likely due to needle sticks in service.