Hepatitis C decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 12, 2021 is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left upper extremity and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, hepatitis C, bilateral lower extremity nerve/vascular disabilities (PAD), and erectile dysfunction due to herbicide agent exposure.,Specifically, a new VA examination is required for each issue to determine the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C (with cirrhosis) as the evidence does not support a link to military service, including dental treatment and air gun inoculations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for cirrhosis of the liver, hepatocellular cancer, and hepatitis C have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a liver condition, finding that intravenous drug use during active service was the primary risk factor for his hepatitis C. The Board also found no evidence to support secondary service connection for a liver condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his hemorrhoid disability was denied. For the period from May 27, 2015 to October 19, 2020, he was granted TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities. However, as of October 19, 2020, his claim for a TDIU became moot due to his already receiving maximum benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, chronic kidney disease, liver condition (claimed as cirrhosis and liver cancer), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder and depression) due to insufficient evidence addressing the service separation examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's necrotizing fasciitis status post skin graft is currently rated at 20 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for Hepatitis C due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for VA opinions regarding potential in-service exposures.

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

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incongruities in the medical opinions and lack of nexus evidence.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver associated with hepatitis C due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's death during the appeal process made the case moot, but his wife was granted substitution as the claimant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2021. The claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU has been denied.